Audit of laparoscopic cholecystectomy in a single center.

A continuous audit is required to ensure laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is performed safely in the surgical community in general. A retrospective review of all LC done in a single center was performed. A total of 1,244 LC were attempted. The conversion rate was 12.4%, the complication rate 3.5%, and the bile duct injury rate 0.4%. Forty percent of bile duct injury occurred after conversion. A decreasing trend of complication rate was seen in the early part of the series, then the rate steadied at about 2.5-3%. A higher threshold of conversion may not increase the bile duct injury rate. However, good laparoscopic technique and adequate experience are prerequisites to safe LC.