CHOLECYSTECTOMY THROUGH A MINI-LAPAROTOMY A PRELIMINARY REPORT

Cholecystectomy through a small subcostal incision (mini-lap cholecystectomy), has recently been introduced as an alternative to conventional cholecystectomy in an effort to reduce its attendant morbidity. A trial was conducted to assess the morbidity of cholecystectomy performed through a small subcostal incision. Eighteen consecutive patients posted for elective cholecystectomy were operated through such an incision. In 2 11%], the incision had to be extended. The records of these patients were retrospectively compared with an equal number of consecutive cholecystectomies previously performed by the same surgeon through a conventional incision. There was no significant difference in the average operating time, incidence of wound infection or the number of post-operative complications between the conventional and the mini-laparotomy group. However, the number of doses of post operative analgesic required, the duration of post-operative ileus, hospitalisation and convalescence needed was nearly halved. Thus mini-lap cholecystectomy has much lesser morbidity and is considered to be a safe and viable alternative to conventional cholecystectomy.KEY WORDS: Cholecystectomy, Mini-laparotomy, Post-operative morbidity