Mini cholecystectomy through a 5cm subcostal incision experience at NSSSH Lahore

Objective: this study was conducted to assess cholecystectomy through a 5cm subcostal incision. material and method: this retrospective study was conducted at the department of general surgery at nsssh lahore from january 2009 to june 2010. this study included 90 patients with cholelithiasis. 76 were male and 14 were female. mean age was 43 years (18-77 years). both acute and chronic cholecystitis was included. results: cholecystectomy through 5cm subcostal incision was possible in 86 patients. in 4 cases,the incision had to be extended by 2cm due to operating difficulties. none of the patient was converted to cc. the average operating time was 45 minutes (30 - 70 mins) and the average blood loss was 70 ml (30 - 120 ml). the average post-operative hospital stay was 2 days (1 - 5 days). all patients returned back to work within 2 weeks of surgery. the mean follow-up was 1 year. conclusion: mini cholecystectomy is a safe procedure with shorter operating time,better cosmesis,less pain,few complications and short post-operative stay as compared to open conventional cholecystectomy. the technique is cost effective,easy to practice and can benefit majority of patients. it may be recommended as a procedure of choice where laparoscopic facilities are not available.