Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy surgery is now the most common way to remove the gallbladder. The laparoscopic (key-hole) technique has gradually replaced the traditional open surgical approach since it was first carried out more than 20 years ago. (More information on gallbladder surgery)

Although a patient may be assessed to be suitable for Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy, there may be occasions when it may be necessary to convert to open surgery. The surgeon makes that decision based on the patient’s safety.

According to a review paper by Visser et al. (2008) in the American Journal of Surgery¹, the range of conversion rates reported in literature can be quite wide, with most being less than 10%.

With reference to Sleisenger and Fordtran’s Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease text², about 2 out of 10 Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy in the US need to be converted to the open method.

• 98.53% Successful Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy without conversion due to bleeding and
• 99.02% Successful Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy without conversion due to bile duct injury.

(Source: Department of General Surgery & Medical Information Management, CGH)

References

1. Visser BC, Rowan WP & Garden OJ (2008), ‘Open cholecystectomy in the laparoendoscopic era’, The American Journal of Surgery, vol. 195, pp. 108-114.
2. Feldman M, Friedman LS & Brandt LJ (2006), Sleisenger & Fordtran’s Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease (8th ed), Philapdelphia, Saunders Elsevier.