• J Harju, P Juvonen, M Eskelinen, P Miettinen, and M Pääkkönen.
• Department of Surgery, Kuopio University Hospital, Post Office Box 1777, Kuopio, 70211, Finland. jukka.harju@fimnet.fi
• Surg Endosc. 2006 Apr 1; 20 (4): 583-6.

BackgroundMinilaparotomy cholecystectomy (MC) has recently challenged the role of the laparoscopic approach (LC) for cholecystectomies. However, the situation is far from clear when operating times and recovery are evaluated.MethodsAltogether 157 patients with uncomplicated symptomatic gallstones were randomized into MC (n = 85) and LC (n = 72) groups. Both groups were similar in terms of age, body mass index, American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA) physical fitness classification, and operating surgeon.ResultsThe mean operating time was 55 +/- 19.5 min in the MC group and 79 +/- 27.0 min in the LC group (p < 0.0001). The postoperative hospital stay and length of sick leave did not differ between the two groups. There were no significant differences in postoperative pain, analgesic consumption, or postoperative pulmonary function between the groups. The body mass index did not influence operating time or patient recovery in either group. No major complications occurred in either groups.ConclusionThe MC procedure seems to be a faster technique than the LC approach for noncomplicated gallstone disease, with no difference in recovery times. The MC procedure also seems to be suitable for the obese patient.

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