title: Laparoscopic antegrade cholecystectomy: a standard procedure?
abstract: Retrograde approach ("fundus first") is often used in open surgery, while in laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is less frequent. LC, with antegrade access, is done by putting in traction the infundibulum and going up to the fundus before to clip the cystic. Our study analyzes a number of surgical procedures performed by experienced surgeons in laparoscopy. From 2002 to 2015, 1740 laparoscopic cholecystectomies were performed at our Institution. 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.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were no bile duct injuries. Average operative time was 40 min. 22 conversions to an open procedure (1.3%) occurred, in cases of acute cholecystitis and cirrhotic patient. Postoperative stay was mean 2 days with no delayed sequelae on follow up.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  gallbladder antegrade dissection 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Foggia, Luigi Pinto Street, No. 1, 71122 Foggia, Italy.
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Tartaglia
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Foggia, Luigi Pinto Street, No. 1, 71122 Foggia, Italy.
authors.forename: Pasquale
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Cianci
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Foggia, Luigi Pinto Street, No. 1, 71122 Foggia, Italy.
authors.forename: Alessandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Di Lascia
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Foggia, Luigi Pinto Street, No. 1, 71122 Foggia, Italy.
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fersini
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Foggia, Luigi Pinto Street, No. 1, 71122 Foggia, Italy.
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ambrosi
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Foggia, Luigi Pinto Street, No. 1, 71122 Foggia, Italy.
authors.forename: Vincenzo
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Neri
keywords: Antegrade dissection; Cholecystectomy; Cholecystitis; Difficult cholecystectomy; Fundus first; Laparoscopy