[Follow-up results of laparoscopic cholecystectomy]

Following a laparoscopic cholecystectomy 400 patients have been interviewed with a questionnaire on the late results of the surgery (15 to 40 months postop.). The cholecystectomies had been performed within the time from March 7, 1990 to April 30, 1992 in Tübingen. After a mean of 16.8 days the patients returned to work, while they themselves felt reduced for an average of 10.6 days. 11.9% of the patients complained of slight wound healing problems and in 3.1% wound infections have been registered. Although 97% of the patients were satisfied with the results of surgery, 8.7% still complained of upper abdominal trouble. Slight persistent problems like light pain or flatulence have been reported by 19%.