[THe video laparoscopic experience of the general surgeon in cholecystectomy in childhood]

Despite the exponentially increasing number of laparoscopic cholecystectomies on adults to date, there is a paucity of reports in the literature about this new technique in pediatric patients. From September 1992 to February 1995, 140 patients underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Since July 1993, in our institution, five pediatric patients (three females and two males) with a diagnosis of cholelithiasis underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The age of the patients ranged from 6 to 15 years (mean 8.8 years) and they weighed 18-58 kg (mean 28.4 kg). All five patients had biliary cholic and ultrasound evidence of cholelithiasis. One patient had associated hematological disease (sickle cell disease). All 5 children were operated using the laparoscopic approach technique. Operative cholangiography was performed in cases with ductal and vascular intraoperative anatomy unclear. No operation was converted to open cholecystectomy. Intraoperative cholangiography was performed successfully (100%). The mean time of surgery was 50.2 minutes (range from 38 to 68). There were no operative complications. The mean hospital stay was 2.2 days (range 2 to 3 days). All five returned to their activity within a week. No long-term complications were seen in all patients throughout an average follow-up period of 10.6 months (range 8-14). The benefits of laparoscopic cholecystectomy in children are clear and obvious. It is safe and effective and should now be the treatment of choice for cholelithiasis in pediatric patients.