CHOLECYSTOENTERIC FISTULA IS NOT A CONTRAINDICATION FOR LAPAROSCOPIC CHOLECYSTECTOMY - REPORT OF 5 CASES TREATED BY LAPAROSCOPIC APPROACH

The authors present five cases (three female, two male, mean age 50.8) of cholecystoduodenal fistula incidentally discovered during laparosc opic cholecystectomy and treated by laparoscopic approach. The laparos copic technique adopted is described and all patients recovered prompt ly with no immediate or long-term postoperative complications. Dischar ge from the hospital was after 4.5 days, and after 6 months follow-up all patients were in good clinical condition. These results indicate t hat when the surgeon is skilled in advanced laparoscopic operative tec hniques such as duodenal mobilization and intracorporeal suturing and knotting, cholecystoduodenal fistula can no longer be considered a con traindication for laparoscopic treatment.