CHOLECYSTECTOMY: TECHNICAL ASPECTS AND INDICATIONS FOR THE TREATMENT OF BILIARY CALCULI AND NEOPLASMS

Abstract

The surgical removal of the gallbladder has been practiced for more than a century and in the last 25 years has undergone fundamental changes in its technique, specially regarding access as well as the exploration of the biliary tree. The most frequent indications for cholecystectomy are gallbladder stones with its complications (acute cholecystitis, choledocolithiasis, cholangitis, acute biliary pancreatitis) and neoplasia of the gallbladder. Initially, cholecystectomies for the treatment of gallbladder stones, were performed through laparotomies. By the end of the 20th century, these surgeries were being performed through progressively smaller incisions, such as minilaparotomy and was soon followed by videolaparoscopy, which is now considered the gold standard. More recently, this procedure is being carried out, although still in the experimental stage, through a transgastric or transvaginal access. The benefits of the videolaparoscopic access is incontestable, but its use requires caution and training in order to minimize the incidence of traumatic lesions of the biliary tree or other structures.