Laparoscopic cholecystectomy: what national benefits have been achieved and at what cost?

Changes in the practice of surgery following the introduction of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (removing asymptomatic gallstones, duplicating procedures for diagnosing and managing common bile duct stones, and deferring laparoscopic management of complicated gallstones) as well as the increased rate of complications (particularly duct injury), have eroded the economic benefits to health care funders of shorter hospital stays. However, these benefits may be achieved if laparoscopic procedures are performed only by experienced surgeons and if the procedure is offered to all patients with gallstones, including complicated cases. Benefits to the community remain in terms of productivity savings as a result of an earlier return to work for patients.