Complications of laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a learning curve

ABSTRACT

The objective of the study was to find out the rate of complications of laparoscopic cholecystectomy being performed by trainees under supervision. Case Series. Place and Duration Study was conducted in Surgical unit-1 [ward-3] of JPMC Karachi from November 2001 to November 2005. All the patients above twelve years of age of both sexes were admitted for laparoscopic cholecystectomy after evaluation in the outpatients department who were diagnosed as cases of chronic cholecystitis with cholelithiasis. A total of 620 patients were included in the study. Biliary complications were 0.16% and non biliary 0.8%. Vascular injury, diaphragmatic injury and pneumothorax did not occur in our study. Complications of laparoscopic cholecystectomy in the hands of trainees can be minimized by adhering to the principles of good laparoscopic surgery