RESULTS OF LAPAROSCOPIC CHOLECYSTECTOMY IN A UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL

This study analyzed the first 100 laparoscopic cholecystectomies performed at a university teaching hospital by a single surgeon. Patients presented with chronic chloecystitis (92), acute cholecystitis (5), acalculus cholecystitis (2), and asymptomatic cholelithiasis (1). The operative time ranged from 59 minutes to 185 minutes (mean: 110 minutes). Cholangiography was performed in 88 patients, and common bile duct stones were discovered in 3. Choledocholithiasis was managed successfully through the cystic duct in all cases. Two procedures were converted to open cholecystectomy. Operative complications included ductal injury in one patient, bile leak in two, wound cellulitis in four, and atelectasis in one. Ninety-seven patients were released within 24 hours after surgery. Mean hospital charges for laparoscopic cholecystectomy were $828 less than the cost incurred for open cholecystectomy. These early results support the view that laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a safe, cost-effective method for performing cholecystectomy with a remarkable improvement in patient recovery time.