title: Three-port laparoscopic cholecystectomy by harmonic dissection without cystic duct and artery clipping.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The technique of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) still has areas of refinements. To decrease the number of ports, a cannula may be replaced by a percutaneous suture suspension of the gallbladder. The risk of tissue injury caused by repeat blind extraction and insertion of various instruments in and out of the abdomen may be decreased by the use of the multipurpose harmonic dissector.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred consecutive patients with symptomatic cholelithiasis underwent 3-port LC entirely performed by harmonic dissector without cystic duct and artery clipping.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In 8 cases, a fourth trocar was necessary. In 2 cases, the cystic duct was clipped after an unsafe ultrasound sealing. In 1 case, continuous bleeding from the liver required the use of diathermy. No common bile duct injury was registered.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The 3-port harmonic LC is a feasible, effective, and safe technique.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Laparoendoscopic Unit, Aurelia Hospital, Via Aurelia 860, 00165 Rome, Italy. gtebala@alice.it
authors.forename: Giovanni D
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Tebala
mesh_terms: D017081:Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic / Q000379:methods*; D002769:Cholelithiasis / Q000601:surgery*; D003135:Common Bile Duct / Q000601:surgery*; D004867:Equipment Design; D005704:Gallbladder / Q000098:blood supply*; D006801:Humans; D020706:Laparoscopes; D013536:Suture Techniques; D016896:Treatment Outcome