Laparoscopic cholecystectomy and concomitant diseases Effectiveness of the single step treatment.

AIM: With the expanded use of laparoscopy, the options for combined surgical procedures have also increased and can be a modality of choice for coexisting pathologies in the abdomen. In our study we evaluate the safety and the efficacy of a number of surgical procedures combined with laparoscopic cholecystectomy and report our results.

MATERIAL OF STUDY: We conducted a retrospective study on 19 consecutive patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy simultaneously with other operations.

RESULTS

No conversion to open surgery was necessary. Postoperative complications occurred in three patients. The mean postoperative hospital stay was 3 days (range 2-4) and a few patients required more than 48 hours postoperative hospitalization. The perioperative mortality rate was 0%.

DISCUSSION: Concomitant surgical procedures result in longer operating time, but certainly the patient benefits from a single exposure to anesthesia, single hospital stay, and single period of absence from work.

CONCLUSIONS

Combining surgeries does not significantly alter the outcome of the procedure, proved to be a safe and feasible and present an interesting alternative to two separate operations. Prospective studies with long-term follow-up are required to better understand the implications of simultaneous operations.

KEY WORDS: Laparoscopic combined procedures, Minimally invasive surgery.