In order to examine indications for laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LSC), 70 patients undergoing chole-cystectomy who have been treated after LSC was first introduced to this institution were subjected to a retrospective study. LSC was performed in all 70 cases. In 11 cases of them LSC was found to be inapplicable during surgery and was switched over to mini-laparotomy cholecystectomy. LSC could be performed in 9 out of 11 cases of acute cholecystitis, with the exception of 2 cases of acute gangrenous cholecystitis. LSC could be performed in 4 of 7 cases of choledocholith. LSC could be performed in 3 of 5 cases with a previous history of gastrectomy. In many cases in which preoperative cholecystographic findings were negative, LSC was successfully performed, while among the cases with hypertrophic cystic wall, there were a number of cases in which LSC could not be performed.
It is difficult to select a candidate for LSC preoperatively. We therefore recommend to try LSC for all cases which are indicated cholecystectomy.