[Complications of cholecystectomy before and after introduction of laparoscopic surgery].
OBJECTIVE
In the University Department of Surgical Gastroenterology, Arhus University Hospital, the frequency of complications to acute and elective cholecystectomy was investigated before and after introduction of laparoscopic cholecystectomy.


METHODS
A retrospective survey turned up 1768 patients in the period of conventional open surgery (1974-1985) and 1432 patients in the laparoscopic period (1991-1998). All patients with exploration of the common bile duct were excluded.


RESULTS
In the open period 12 patients (0.68%) had lesions of the common bile duct requiring reconstruction. In patients operated on with laparoscopic cholecystectomy, lesions of the common bile duct were found in three patients (0.21%) (p = 0.06). Lesions of the cystic duct or an aberrant bile duct occurred in 14 patients (0.79%) during the open period and in 24 patients (1.7%) (p < 0.05) operated on with the laparoscopic technique. Infectious and cardiopulmonary complications were seen in significantly more patients operated on with the open technique.


CONCLUSIONS
It is concluded that laparoscopic cholecystectomy offers a safe procedure, although the technique can still be improved, especially with respect to decreasing leakage from the cystic duct.
Arhus Universitetshospital, Arhus Kommunehospital, kirurgisk gastroenterologisk afdeling L.
L S
LS
Jensen
P M
PM
Christiansen
P
P
Wara
P M
PM
Jensen
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001652:Bile Ducts / Q000293:injuries; D002763:Cholecystectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D017081:Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003718:Denmark; D017558:Elective Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods; D004630:Emergencies; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012042:Registries; D012086:Reoperation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000175:diagnosis