Laparoscopic cholecystectomy： A report from a single center

AIM： To review and evaluate our experience in laparoscopic cholecystectomy. METHODS： A retrospective analysis was performed on data collected during a 13-year period （1992-2005） from 1220 patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy. RESULTS： Mortality rate was 0%. The overall morbidity rate was 5.08% （n = 62）, with the most serious complications arising from injuries to the biliary tree and the cystic artery. In 23 （1.88%） cases, cholecystectomy could not be completed laparoscopically and the operation was converted to an open procedure. Though the patients were scheduled as day-surgery cases, the average duration of hospital stay was 2.29 d, as the complicated cases with prolonged hospital stay were included in the calculation. CONCLUSION： Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a safe, minimally invasive technique with favorable results for the patient.