Laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Intraoperative findings and postoperative complications

From November 1990 to April 1994 we attempted laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) in 1,788 consecutive patients. The intraoperative findings related to gallbladder's pathology were as following: chronic cholecystitis in 792 patients (44.3%), simple cholecystolithiasis in 760 (42.5%), acute cholecystitis in 98 (5.5%), hydrops in 44 (2.5%), empyema in 38 (2.1%), gangrenous cholecystitis in 12 patients, acalculous cholecystitis in 20 patients, polyps in 11 patients, adenomyomatosis in 9 patients, and gallbladder's carcinoma in 4 patients. Although we had a considerable number of cases with severe inflammation and/or dense adhesions the conversion rate to open surgery was relatively low (2.5%). There was no procedure-related mortality and no common bile duct injury. Postoperative complications occurred in 58 patients (3.2%). Bile leak was present in 19 patients, retained bile duct stones in 8, severe bleeding in 6, mild pancreatitis in 4, pulmonary embolism in 1, cerebral bleeding in 1, wound infection in 6, abdominal wall hematoma in 4, and umbilical incisional hernia in 2; 7 patients presented other minor complications. The mean postoperative hospital stay of our patients was 1.8 days (range 1-12 days). Adequate measures to prevent intraoperative accidents, meticulous technique, and full maintenance of the equipment are among the most important factors in keeping a low conversion and complication rate in the patients undergoing LC.