15 Years of Experience in Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy by a Single Surgeon

Purpose: A laparoscopic cholecystectomy is the treatment of choice for gallbladder disease. The aim of this study is to analyse 2,239 cases of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) and observe the changes of 15th-year gallbladder disease. Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of 2,239 patients that underwent a LC by a Single Surgeon, from March 1993 to December 2007. We divided it into 3 groups; group 1 was from March 1993 to December 1996 and group 2 was from January 1998 to December to 2001, group 3 was from January 2003 to December 2007. Results: The mean age, hospital stay, mean operation time and conversion rate was decreased. Gallbladder cancer of group 1 was 0.6%, group 2 was 0.5%, and group 3 was 1.6% (P<0.05). Gallbladder polyps of group 1 Was 3.3%, group 2 was 5.1%, and group 3 was 11.8%. There was statistically significance (P<0.05). Gallstone was significantly decreased (group 1 was 98.1%, group 2 was 97.6%, group 3 was 92.8%) in proportion, pigment stone was significantly decreased (group 1 was 31.5%, group 2 was 27.5%, group 3 was 21.7%) and Cholesterol & Mixed stone was significantly increased (group 1 was 68.2%, group 2 was 72.5%, group 3 was 78.3%)(P<0.05). Conclusion: As surgical experience increased with a rising number of cases, the conversion rate, complications, hospital stay and mean operation time was decreased. Pigment gallstone was decreased and cholesterol gallstone was increased owing to western diet, old age and fatness. (J Korean Surg Soc 2009;76:173-178)