We studied developments in indication, operation time, conversion rate, morbidity, and mortality from the beginning of laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Between 1990 and 2002 we prospectively evaluated 4498 patients undergoing cholecystectomy (CE), of whom 79% were treated laparoscopically (lap). In 6.6%, the procedure had to be converted from laparoscopic to open cholecystectomy (con), and 14% were performed open from the beginning (open). During the above time period, the rate of open CE decreased steadily (49% in 1990 to 7.2% in 2002). The average operation time of lap CE remained constant with an average of 74 min (range 20-330). The conversion rate decreased in spite of broader indication for lap CE in even more complicated gallstone diseases, from an initial 9.4% to 2.5%. Among intraoperative complications in lap and con, bile duct lesions remained constant with 5/3856 (0.1%), bleeding which led to conversion decreased from 1.9% to 0.3%, and the rate of gall bladder perforation increased from 12% to 20.5%. Thirty-day morbidity was 2% in lap CE, 5% in con, and 11.5% in open. The mortality was 0% in lap, 0.7% in con, and 1% in open.
Conclusion: Since the introduction of laparoscopic cholecystectomy the indication for this minimal-invasive operation steadily increased, the conversion-rate decreased and the complication-rate could be held low. Even with fast laparoscopic experience 7% of all cholecystectomies are technically difficult and remain to be carried out primarily in an open technique. The laparoscopic cholecystectomy has become the gold standard in the therapy of gallstone disease.