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.