To drain or not to drain in laparoscopic cholecystectomy: rationale and technique.

Routine drainage was adopted in laparoscopic cholecystectomy since we started to perform this operation, in November 1989. Its use was triggered by a fear of complications that might require an open operation. Between November 1989 and June 1991, 480 elective procedures were performed. Bile drainage was encountered in five patients and bleeding in three patients. None of the patients with bile drainage developed bile peritonitis or required reoperation; one patient with bleeding required reoperation. Complaint of shoulder pain was minimal (4.8%).