Precautions

The biggest risk in laparoscopic gallbladder surgery is having an untrained surgeon.

This incidence of error and complications with laparoscopic gallbladder surgery became such a problem on the national level, that the National Institutes of Health (NIH) convened a conference to discuss the problem.

Basically they recognized that the risks of this surgery were a result of errors on the part of the surgeon in identifying the anatomy and in improperly cutting or clipping one duct instead of the other. Other problems were also noted.

The consensus of the conference was that the procedure was worthwhile, but proper training, supervision and experience were necessary to make it safe.

They also recognized a significant learning curve, as the incidence of complications and injury were far greater when a surgeon had performed less than 25 of these surgeries than after he or she had considerable experience.

Unfortunately, the conference did not recommend more stringent requirements or credentialing for those performing laparoscopic gallbladder surgery.

Thus, the best safety precaution is to find a surgeon who has received extensive training in the procedure and has extensive experience performing it. Learn more>