title: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a new trend in the management of gallstone disease.
abstract: The results of the first 100 consecutive patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy in our hospital are described. The procedure was completed in 93 cases, and 7 cases (7%) were converted to open cholecystectomy. Of these conversions six were elective because of extensive adhesions, and one conversion was enforced because of instrument failure. The mortality in the series was 0%, and the morbidity rate was 5%: two wound infections, one haematoma of the wound, one intraabdominal bleeding, and one patient with a retained stone. The median anaesthesia time was 150 min. Recovery after the operation was remarkably fast; the median hospital stay was 4 days, and 80% of the patients had left the hospital on day 5 after admission. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy seems a safe procedure with significant advantages to the patient, such as a short hospital stay, a rapid recovery, and a satisfactory cosmetic result.
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Surgery, Catharina Hospital, Eindhoven, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: T J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Ruers
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Jakimowicz
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002763:Cholecystectomy / Q000379:methods; D002769:Cholelithiasis / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications