Minilaparotomy versus laparoscopy in the treatment of cholelithiasis: our experience

The traditional biliary surgery has undergone some transformations to patient's advantage. Nowadays the open-surgery of cholelithiasis is inclined to reduce the incision to 5-6 cm and to perform a transverse one to respect the anatomy of abdominal wall. From July 2002 to April 2006, 82 cholecystectomy (53 minilaparotomy cholecystectomy, and 29 laparoscopic cholecystectomy) have been performed in our institution.The two groups are homogeneous for age, sex, BMI, ASA. Among the patients who underwent a minilaparotomy cholecystectomy we observed a quick recovery of normal activities already 24 hours from the operation, a hospital stay of 24-48 hours and an excellent esthetic result. The minilaparotomy approach is, in our opinion, similar to laparoscopic for short and long time results. Nevertheless, according to medical literature, our first choice is for laparoscopic approach and we prefer laparotomy approach in selected clinical conditions.