Our First Hundred Laparoscopic Cholecystectomies

Abstract

Hundred patients with symptomatic gallstone disease underwent laparosopic cholecystectomy between June 1996 and August 1997. There were 78 females and 22 males, with a mean age of 46.2 (SO 17.8; range 21 to 85) years. The common presentations were right upper abdominal pain (n=66), acute cholecystitis (n=8) and history of jaundice (n=II). Sixteen patients underwent ERCP for suspected CBO stones. Endoscopic papillotomy and basketing cleared the CBO of all calculi in 12. Three patients required c'Jnversion to open cholecystectomy because of dense adhesions (n=2) and to control intraoperative haemorrhage (n=I). Mean operating time was 67.2 (SO 39.2; range 22 to 186) minutes. The mean requirement of analgesics was 2.8 (SO 1.3; range 2 to 5) doses and post-operative hospital stay was 1.6 (SO 1.4; range I to 7) days. All patients resumed normal activity within 14 days of operation and are well and satisfied with their operation at a median follow up of8.6 months. MJAFI 1998; 54: 185-187