title: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy: laser versus electrosurgery.
abstract: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy has been reported to be a safe and effective way to remove a diseased gallbladder with essentially no morbidity or mortality (1,2). This procedure was first introduced in Europe using electrosurgery, and later introduced in the United States using the laser (1). No clinical trial compares the laser to the standard electrosurgery method. In a review, as well as an ongoing study, morbidity, mortality, intraoperative procedures, indications, and cost effectiveness are considered in these two groups. Three hundred cases were reviewed with 150 patients in each group. There were no deaths or significant complications in either group. In the laser group, bleeding seemed slightly more excessive during removal of the gallbladder from the liver bed and required more time to control. The electrosurgery group required slightly less operative time and was less costly. The postoperative recovery time was the same in each group.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, John F. Kennedy Medical Center, Atlantis, Florida 33462.
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Corbitt
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016063:Blood Loss, Surgical; D001835:Body Weight; D002758:Cholangiography; D002763:Cholecystectomy; D017081:Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D002769:Cholelithiasis / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D004598:Electrosurgery / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007430:Intraoperative Care; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors