[Laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Analysis of 50 cases].

Biliary lithiasis is considered a significant health problem. Traditionally open cholecystectomy has been considered the gold standard procedure for symptomatic cholecystitis. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy has recently emerged as an alternative, but its usefulness in community hospitals is still being evaluated. Herein we reported our experience in 50 patients treated for 7 months (August of 1991, to February of 1992) by laparoscopic cholecystectomy. It has been necessary to convert one case into an open surgery. There has been no mortality. Seven patients developed right shoulder pain postoperative, it was controlled with minor non addictive analgesics. One had umbilical hematoma, another patient had a superficial phlebitis, and another one developed urinary retention. 43 patients (86%) had had 12 to 24 h hospital stancy, and were back to their normal activities in 7 days; during a 7 months follow-up no complications have been reported. We concluded that laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a safe procedure and can be done by the average general surgeon in community hospitals in a selected patient population. However, we strongly support a continuous monitoring of a protocol for patient management for record-keeping-purposes and as an educational tool.