[Laparoscopic cholecystectomy conversion--causes and surgical procedures].

From September 1993 tol May 1997 360 laparoscopic cholecystectomies have been performed in patients aged 17-74: 318 women (88.3%) and 42 men (11.7%). 19 of them (5.3%) required a conversion to open surgery. In 13 cases (13.6%) conversion was caused by technical difficulties. In the other 6 (1.7%) was caused by intraoperative complications. While converted 15 simple cholecystectomies were performed, 2 with T-tube drainage of bile ducts, 1 with anastomosis choledochoduodenalis and 1 with partial stomach resection (Rydygier method). In all cases adhesions were divided. None of the patients died. Authors believe that LCh can be performed safely on most of the patients with chronic and acute cholecystitis.