[Laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The first 400 cases at Akureyri Central Hospital.].

OBJECTIVE

To assess the outcome of the first 400 laparoscopic cholecystectomies (LC) in Akureyri Central Hospital (FSA), Iceland.

METHODS

We carried out a prospective study of LCs performed between July 1992 and February 2001. Primary endpoints were complication- and conversion rate, hospital stay and duration of convalescence.

RESULTS

A total of 426 operations were performed in the period. In 26 cases it was decided beforehand to perform an open cholecystectomy (OC). A LC was begun on 400 patients. Indication for operation was acute cholecystitis in 41 cases (10,3%) and an elective LC was performed in 359 (89,7%) cases. Conversion to OC was required in sixteen (4%) cases with a conversion rate in acutely performed LCs of 12,2% versus 3,1% in elective LCs. Mean hospital stay after LC was 3,6 days (1-45) versus 12,3 days (4-31) after OC. Mean operation time was 89 minutes (45-270) in the first 100 LCs versus 75 minutes (30-180) in the last 100 LCs. Duration of convalescence of patients undergoing LC was 13,5 days (4-70). Complication rate in LCs was 10% (40/400). Four patients required a reoperation.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results show that LC is a safe procedure in FSA. Conversion rate to OC, complication rate and duration of convalescence stands good comparison to other studies.