A review of 391 selected open cholecystectomies for comparison with laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy has become a popular operation, not only in the medical literature but also in the lay press. The most recent reports emphasize the advantages of the new method, comparing it with open cholecystectomy, using historical series of unselected patients. A review of 391 selected patients who underwent open cholecystectomy by the author in his private practice shows that open cholecystectomy has no mortality, a 4% incidence of complications, no biliary tract injury, and no need for readmission, reoperation, or blood transfusion. The criteria for selection were more restrictive than the ones used for laparoscopic cholecystectomy.