21. Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy: Avoiding Complications

Abstract

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy has become the operation of choice for gallbladder disease, and the incidence of complications is low. Major complications occurring during surgery or in the immediate postoperative period include hemorrhage, common bile duct injury, bile leak, iatrogenic gallbladder perforation, bowel injury, and retained bile duct stone. Risk factors leading to increased complications include acute or chronic cholecystitis, a wide and short cystic duct, previous upper abdominal surgery, obesity, anatomic variation, cirrhosis, cholecystoenteric fistula, cholangiocarcinoma, and surgeon experience. Knowledge of these common complications and risk factors may aid in prevention or early recognition of problems that may occur.