Elective Laparoscopic Over Traditional Gallbladder Surgery

Elective Laparoscopic vs. Traditional Gallbladder Surgery

In a study published in The Lancet, 180 patients underwent gallbladder surgery in a nine-month period at a single hospital.  All of the patients were offered laparoscopic surgery as an alternative to open (or traditional) surgery, of which 96 percent chose the laparoscopic surgery.  Some complications occurred including one patient with a small bowel injury, one patient with an injury to the right hepatic duct and one patient who developed a duodenal fistula.  Laparoscopic gallbladder surgery is a safe and cost-effective procedure, however, the outcome may depend on the ability of the surgeon.