Laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

In recent months, the technique of Laparoscopic Laser Cholecystectomy (LLC) was introduced at our institution. A small series is presented here involving 14 patients, seven of whom underwent LLC and seven in which a "mini-lap" cholecystectomy was performed. Symptomatic cholelithiasis was the indication for surgery in all cases, and operative cholangiograms were employed in 12 patients. Comparisons are made regarding length of hospitalization, recovery time and operative time. An improved recovery period is indeed demonstrated with LLC allowing return to normal activities and employment much sooner than with an open cholecystectomy. We suggest that, though some prudence and caution is advised, this appears to be a safe and feasible adjunct in the treatment of cholelithiasis.