Complications of laparoscopic cholecystectomy in Hungary: a multicentre study of 13,833 patients.
OBJECTIVE
To report our countrywide experience of laparoscopic cholecystectomy with particular reference to complications.


METHODS
National multicentre retrospective study.


METHODS
71 university departments and public hospitals in Hungary.


METHODS
13,833 patients operated on between 1 January 1990 and 31 December 1993. Follow up by questionnaire.


RESULTS
732 patients (5.3%) required conversion to open cholecystectomy, urgently because of intraoperative complications in 204 (1.5%), electively for acute or chronic inflammation or obscure anatomy in 441 (3.2%), for unexpected findings in 72 (0.5%) and for technical problems in 15 (0.1%). There were postoperative complications in 598 (4.3%) but reoperation was indicated in only 154 patients (1.1%). There were bile duct injury in 81 (0.6%) and 199 bleeds (1.4%) which required conversion in 102 patients (0.7%) and reoperation in 38 (0.3%). 36 of the 181 postoperative recognized bile leaks required reoperation (20%). 19 patients died (0.1%).


CONCLUSIONS
The morbidity and the mortality of laparoscopic cholecystectomy are better than after the open operation. The 2-6 times higher risk of bile duct injury mentioned in early studies was not confirmed.
Ihász
M
M
3rd Surgical Department, Semmelweis Medical University, Budapest, Hungary.
Hung
C M
CM
Regöly-Mérei
J
J
Fazekas
T
T
Bátorfi
J
J
Bálint
A
A
Záborszky
A
A
Pósfai
G
G
D017081:Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D006814:Hungary / Q000453:epidemiology; D015994:Incidence; D007431:Intraoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D012086:Reoperation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D015996:Survival Rate