Abstract

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy was introduced by Erich Muhe in 1985 and it has gained worldwide acceptance within a short period of time to become the gold standard treatment for cholelithiasis. The incidence of bile duct injuries have definitely increased compared with the open technique due to new procedure involving “Hand & Eye Coordination”. No doubt with subsequent improvements in the equipment and training in the laparoscopy, the incidence of these injuries has decreased. However, worldwide incidence of Common Bile Duct (CBD) injury has remained fairly constant around 0.5%, as reported in literature. Even in the United States, 34 to 49% of surgeons have caused a major bile duct injury with an individual experience of one to two such cases. Bile duct injuries affect the quality of human life because these injuries often demand several invasive procedures and subsequent surgeries. These patients continue to have a higher incidence of death as compared with those who have an uncomplicated cholecystectomy. There is a major increase in healthcare expenses associated with the complications.

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