Carl Langenbuch and the first cholecystectomy.

Cholecystectomy is the second most common operation performed today, but its founder, Carl Langenbuch, has received little recognition. The evolution of biliary surgery to the first cholecystectomy is traced. Contributions of von der Wiel, Petit, and Thudicum are reviewed. The cases of the first cholecystotomy by John Stough Bobbs, the first cholecystostomy by Marion Sims, and the first cholecystectomy of Carl Langenbuch are described.