Antegrade dissection in laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of gallbladder antegrade dissection (GAD) cholecystectomy to reduce the risk of common biliary duct injuries and to demonstrate that it is an easier and more time-sparing technique than the traditional one.


METHODS
The operative procedure performed since 2002 consists of the incision of the visceral peritoneum from the infundibulum away from Calot's triangle along the gallbladder bed up to the fundus. Then it continues from the fundus up to the infundibulum. This method was used to perform 127 laparoscopic cholecystectomies (LC) (first group). We compared the results of 119 LC (second group) performed from 1998 to 2001 by means of a completely retrograde method.


RESULTS
In both groups, there were no major complications; 1 vs 4 conversions (0.8% vs 3.4%), mean operative time 70 minutes vs 90 minutes, residual choledocholithiasis in 2 patients in both groups (1.6% for the first group vs 1.7% for the second group).


CONCLUSIONS
GAD for laparoscopic cholecystectomy can reduce the time of surgery and is an easier technique to perform. Therefore, it can be proposed as the standard procedure and not only be used for difficult cholecystectomies.
Neri
Vincenzo
V
University of Foggia, Division of General Surgery, Ospedali Riuniti Hospital, Foggia, Italy. tizpv@tiscali.it
Ambrosi
Antonio
A
Fersini
Alberto
A
Tartaglia
Nicola
N
Valentino
Tiziano Pio
TP
D017081:Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005705:Gallbladder Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome