[Laparoscopic cholecystectomy with transgastric gallbladder extraction: a new therapeutic approach].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate a newly developed cholecystectomy technique which combines classical dissection with currently available mini-instrumentation (3 and 5 mm) and removal of the gallbladder through a short gastrotomy.


METHODS
After a feasibility study, we set up a protocol for this procedure using instrumentation currently available on the market. The resected gallbladder was removed through a short gastrotomy on the anterior gastric wall, thereby minimizing abdominal wall trauma and permitting the patient to resume physical activity more quickly with no risk of trocar herniation.


RESULTS
Cholecystectomy was performed by the described technique in 18 of 23 eligible patients between April 2008 and August 2008. There were seven males and 11 females with a mean age of 48 (range: 28-77); median BMI was 30 kg/m2 (range: 22-36). Eleven patients had a gallstone larger than 12 mm. There were no postoperative complications and recovery was rapid for all patients in our study.


CONCLUSIONS
This procedure is technically feasible, safe and reproducible; results are good with minimal trauma to the abdominal wall. Normal physical activity can be rapidly resumed with no risk of incisional hernia.
Jurczak
F
F
Chirurgie générale et digestive, polyclinique de l'Océan, 38, rue de Pornichet, 44600 Saint-Nazaire, France. jurczak@wanadoo.fr
Pousset
J-P
JP
Raffaitin
P
P
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017081:Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013270:Stomach / Q000601:surgery; D016896:Treatment Outcome