[Videolaparoscopic cholecystectomy. Experience and results in 1019 cases].
BACKGROUND
Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is now worldwide considered the elective therapy for biliary lithiasis. Morbidity, mortality and conversion rates reported in the literature are assessed between 1 and 6%, 0 and 0.9%, 3.6 and 7.2% respectively. Data on personal experience with 1019 attempted laparoscopic cholecystectomy are reported.


METHODS
In the period between 1991 and 1997 1019 laparoscopic cholecystectomy were performed. Patients were 361 males and 658 females (ratio M:F 1:2), with an average age of 51 years (range 5-85). Indications were: 647 symptomatic cholelithiasis, 28 hydrops, 121 empyemas, 76 cholecystocholedocolithiasis and 13 alithiasic cholecystopathy.


RESULTS
Conversion was necessary in 61 cases, with a conversion rate of 6%. Mean duration of surgery was 65 minutes (range 30-240) with a mean hospital stay of 2.1 days (range 1-10). No deaths occurred in our series, with a morbidity rate of 1.8% (18 cases, 7 major and 11 minor). Only 1 case of bile duct injury (0.1%) is reported.


CONCLUSIONS
In consideration of low conversion rate, low early and late morbidity, absence of bile duct injury, advantages for the patient and the opportunity of evolution of this surgery, laparoscopic cholecystectomy can be considered the standard treatment for biliary lithiasis.
Franciosi
C
C
Università di Milano, Clinica Chirurgica I, Ospedale San Gerardo, Monza.
Caprotti
R
R
De Fina
S
S
Romano
F
F
Colombo
G
G
Musco
F
F
Rivolta
C
C
Uggeri
F
F
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002760:Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde; D017081:Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic; D002769:Cholelithiasis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D042882:Gallstones / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D013997:Time Factors; D020535:Video-Assisted Surgery