ABSTRACT
In this prospective study, 50 patients having symptomatic cholelithiasis were operated upon; 25 laparoscopic cholecystectomy and 25 small-incision cholecystectomy. Postoperative pain, analgesic requirement, oxygen saturation and pulmonary function [forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in one second and peak expiratory flow rate] were assessed after laparoscopic and small-incision cholecystectomy. Compared with small-incision cholecystectomy; laparoscopic cholecystectomy was associated with lower pain scoring, less postoperative morphine consumption in the first and second postoperative days, less reduction in postoperative pulmonary function and better oxygen saturation. The study confirmed that the postoperative pain and pulmonary changes associated with upper abdominal surgery were significantly reduced by the laparoscopic technique