Laparoscopic cholecystectomy: analysis of 100 cases.

OBJECTIVE: To study the efficacy and safety of laparoscopic cholecystectomy. METHODS: One hundred patients with symptomatic cholelithiasis were subjected to laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Preoperative ERCP and sphincterotomy were performed to detect and treat patients suspected to have associated common bile duct (CBD) stones on clinical, biochemical and imaging methods. RESULTS: Ninety patients underwent successful laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The mean operating time was 90 minutes. There were no deaths and morbidity was minimal (6%). Eighty five patients were discharged within 48 hours of surgery. In ten patients the procedure was converted to open surgery. Previous upper abdominal surgery; associated CBD stones; empyema gall bladder; and shrunken, non distensible gall bladder could make the laparoscopic procedure difficult and forewarn the surgeon about a possible conversion to open surgery. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a safe and effective method of gall bladder removal.