title: [Laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The first 400 cases at Akureyri Central Hospital.].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the outcome of the first 400 laparoscopic cholecystectomies (LC) in Akureyri Central Hospital (FSA), Iceland.
  
  
  METHODS
  We carried out a prospective study of LCs performed between July 1992 and February 2001. Primary endpoints were complication- and conversion rate, hospital stay and duration of convalescence.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 426 operations were performed in the period. In 26 cases it was decided beforehand to perform an open cholecystectomy (OC). A LC was begun on 400 patients. Indication for operation was acute cholecystitis in 41 cases (10,3%) and an elective LC was performed in 359 (89,7%) cases. Conversion to OC was required in sixteen (4%) cases with a conversion rate in acutely performed LCs of 12,2% versus 3,1% in elective LCs. Mean hospital stay after LC was 3,6 days (1-45) versus 12,3 days (4-31) after OC. Mean operation time was 89 minutes (45-270) in the first 100 LCs versus 75 minutes (30-180) in the last 100 LCs. Duration of convalescence of patients undergoing LC was 13,5 days (4-70). Complication rate in LCs was 10% (40/400). Four patients required a reoperation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results show that LC is a safe procedure in FSA. Conversion rate to OC, complication rate and duration of convalescence stands good comparison to other studies.
authors.affiliation: Kirurgkliniken, Blekingesjukhuset, 371 85 Karlskrona, Sweden. aarnarson@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Aðalsteinn
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Arnarson
authors.forename: Haraldur
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hauksson
authors.forename: Valur Thornór
authors.initials: VT
authors.lastname: Marteinsson
authors.forename: Sigurður M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Albertsson
authors.forename: Shree
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Datye