There is wide variability in the amount and type of data reported within any single study, and patient populations may not be comparable across studies. Except for a higher common bile duct injury rate, laparoscopic cholecystectomy appears to be at least as safe a procedure as that of open cholecystectomy.

Different types of patients underwent cholecystectomy in 1993 compared with patients in 1989, which supports the hypothesis of changing thresholds. Statements supporting the safety of cholecystectomy in the laparoscopic era were borne out when controlling for differences in patient characteristics.

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