PURPOSE: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy, the gold standard treatment for symptomatic cholecystolithiasis, is still not absolutely safe. Use of energy sources for routine dissection thought to be a facilitator has unfortunately been a cause of significant morbidity. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of performing a safe laparoscopic cholecystectomy without using any energy sources. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From June 2005 to April 2006, 38 consecutive patients of symptomatic cholecystolithiasis without any exclusion criteria underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy with this technique. RESULTS: Mean operative time was 33 minutes (25-96). There was no perioperative hemodynamic instability, need for blood transfusion, technical difficulty, need for conversion, or any visceral injury. Majority of patients (34 out of 38) were discharged as day cases. Postoperative follow-up was uneventful. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy can be safely performed without resorting to use of any energy sources.
PURPOSE: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy, the gold standard treatment for symptomatic cholecystolithiasis, is still not absolutely safe. Use of energy sources for routine dissection thought to be a facilitator has unfortunately been a cause of significant morbidity. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of performing a safe laparoscopic cholecystectomy without using any energy sources. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From June 2005 to April 2006, 38 consecutive patients of symptomatic cholecystolithiasis without any exclusion criteria underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy with this technique. RESULTS: Mean operative time was 33 minutes (25-96). There was no perioperative hemodynamic instability, need for blood transfusion, technical difficulty, need for conversion, or any visceral injury. Majority of patients (34 out of 38) were discharged as day cases. Postoperative follow-up was uneventful. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy can be safely performed without resorting to use of any energy sources.