title: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy in black patients at Ga-Rankuwa Hospital: a feasibility study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine feasibility and outcome of laparoscopic cholecystectomy for Black patients in Ga-Rankuwa Hospital and to analyse the type of stones harvested.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross sectional description study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ga-Rankuwa Hospital/Medunsa, South Africa.
  
  
  METHODS
  79 patients who presented with cholelithiasis over a six year period.
  
  
  METHODS
  Successful performance of laparoscopic cholecystectomy on the subjects.
  
  
  RESULTS
  39 laparoscopic cholecystectomies were performed with seven conversions (18% conversion rate). Forty open cholecystectomies were also performed. Post operative stay after laparoscopic cholecystectomy averaged 3.5 days and that of the open converted group 6.9 days (p < 0.001). Two patients returned with persistence of symptoms following laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Twenty gall stones were analysed; 17 were of the cholesterol type and three of the black pigment type.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is feasible in the Black populace of Ga-Rankuwa Hospital. The majority of gallstones are of the cholesterol type.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Muyanga
authors.forename: F O
authors.initials: FO
authors.lastname: Ghoor
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Modiba
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D044383:Black People; D017081:Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000639:trends; D002769:Cholelithiasis / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000601:surgery*; D017046:Cost Savings; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007813:Laparotomy / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D013019:South Africa