ABSTRACT
Laparoscopic cholecystectomy surgery is rapidly becoming the procedure of choice for patients undergoing gallbladder removal. For the patient, this new minimally invasive surgery allows shorter hospitalization and faster recuperation than traditional open cholecystectomy surgery. Examinations were performed to determine the value of ultrasound in predicting morbidity of patients undergoing the laparoscopic cholecystectomy procedure. Examinations were performed immediately and 6-8 weeks postlaparoscopic surgery on 24 patients with acute or chronic gallbladder disease. All patients had ultrasound examinations prior to surgery. Of the 24 patients studied, 6 patients (25%) developed small fluid accumulations immediately postsurgery. All patients were asymptomatic clinically and remained asymptomatic 6-8 weeks after surgery. The fluid accumulation was thought to be insignificant on the immediate postsurgical studies. This percentage equals that found in open cholecystectomy surgeries. On the delayed ultrasound studies, no fluid deposits or other abnormalities were seen. Ultrasound examination of the asymptomatic patient postlaparoscopic cholecystectomy surgery is not of value for predicting complications in patients undergoing this procedure. Furthermore, immediately postlaparoscopic cholecystectomy surgery, 25% of patients will have small fluid collections, but will not develop complications.