LAPAROSCOPIC CHOLECYSTECTOMY AT AN EDUCATIONAL SEMINAR - 208 OPERATIONS

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a relatively recent acquisition and st ill remains limited to few surgeons. We started an education program f or surgeons used to open biliar surgery. Between september 1990 and de cember 1991, 208 patients have been operated on by 14 operators flanke d by 2 teachers. Technique was standardized and all patients were look ed preoperatively for absence of stones in bile ducts using i.v. chola ngiography and tomography. Only 6 patients (<3%) needed to be converte d to laparotomy. Morbidity was less than 6% and due to minor complicat ions. Only one patient needed a reoperation because of incisional hern ia. Mortality was null. Mean postoperative hospitalization time was le ss than 3 days. We conclude that laparoscopic activity in a teaching c enter allows acquisition of a new technique modality while remaining s afe for patients.