PERCUTANEOUS LAPAROSCOPIC CHOLECYSTECTOMY - INDICATIONS, CONTRAINDICATIONS AND COMPLICATIONS

The indications, contraindications and complications of percutaneous l aparoscopic cholecystectomy (PLC) were established from a group of 308 patients referred for cholecystectomy. Of the 308 patients 86% underw ent PLC, 5% were commenced laparoscopically, but converted to open cho lecystectomy and 9% were performed as open cholecystectomy from the ou tset. Complications included two bile leaks from the gall-bladder bed, one cystic duct stump leak and three retained stones. Pre-operative r ather than intra-operative duct imaging was used so that common duct s tones could be removed before operation. PLC is a safe procedure that has now become the standard technique for cholecystectomy.