title: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy: the first 155 patients.
abstract: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy has been attempted in 155 patients. Eight patients required conversion to open cholecystectomy (5%): three owing to lack of clear anatomical detail, two procedures were abandoned because of instrument failure, two had a dilated common bile duct on cholangiography, and one owing to a very adherent mucocele of the gallbladder. Cholangiography was performed selectively; successfully completed in 45 (22% of all patients). Common bile duct stones were found in two patients. All patients were drained, with two bile leaks, one requiring a laparotomy. There was one ductal injury. Most patients (85%) were discharged within 48 h. This initial experience suggests laparoscopic cholecystectomy is the procedure of choice for most patients with symptomatic cholelithiasis.
authors.affiliation: University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff.
authors.forename: B I
authors.initials: BI
authors.lastname: Rees
authors.forename: H R
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Williams
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017081:Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic / Q000379:methods*; D002764:Cholecystitis / Q000601:surgery; D002769:Cholelithiasis / Q000601:surgery*; D000075202:Contraindications; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D014852:Wales