Three-dimensional Laparoscopy (3D-LC) Versus Minilaparotomy (MC) in Cholecystectomy: A Prospective Randomized Study

Three-dimensional laparoscopy (3D-Lap) is a recent innovation in surgery. The 3D-Lap is rarely used in cholecystectomy (3D-LC) and there are no prospective studies assessing advantages and disadvantages of 3D-LC versus minilaparotomy (MC) in cholecystectomy. This was a prospective clinical study conducted in the Kuopio University Hospital, including 200 patients with symptomatic cholelithiasis who were randomized into 3D-LC (n=112) or MC (n=88) groups. The numeric rating scale (NRS) pain score and number of analgesic doses (NAD) following surgery were documented. Similar low postoperative pain scores were reported in the 3D-LC and MC groups during the first hours following surgery, although the 3D-LC patients reported lower NRS pain score (p