Spilled gallstones after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. A relevant problem? A retrospective analysis of 10,174 laparoscopic cholecystectomies.
BACKGROUND
Spilled gallstones after laparoscopic cholecystectomy may cause abscess formation, but the exact extent of this problem remains unclear.


METHODS
The data (collected by the Swiss Association of Laparoscopic and Thoracoscopic Surgery) on 10,174 patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy at 82 surgical institutions in Switzerland between January 1992 and April 1995 were retrospectively analyzed with special interest in spilled gallstones and their complications.


RESULTS
In 581 cases (5.7%) spillage of gallstones occurred; 34 of these cases were primarily converted to an open procedure for stone retrieval. Of the remaining 547 cases only eight patients (0.08%) developed postoperatively abscess formation requiring reoperation.


CONCLUSIONS
Spillage of gallstones after laparoscopic cholecystectomy is fairly common and occurs in about 6% of patients. However, abscess formation with subsequent surgical therapy remains a minor problem. Removal of spilled gallstones is therefore not recommended for all patients, but an attempt at removal should be performed whenever possible.
Schäfer
M
M
Department of Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, Inselspital University of Berne, Switzerland.
Suter
C
C
Klaiber
C
C
Wehrli
H
H
Frei
E
E
Krähenbühl
L
L
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D017081:Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic; D002769:Cholelithiasis / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012086:Reoperation; D012189:Retrospective Studies