Abstract
Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is the gold standard procedure for symptomatic gallstones but at a higher price. Recently a few studies comparing mini cholecystectomy to laparoscopic cholecystectomy have shown that mini cholecystectomy has comparable results to laparoscopic cholecystectomy at an affordable price. We compared these two techniques over a period of two years.224 patients were studied, 122 had laparoscopic and 102 had mini laparotomy cholecystectomies. Results showed that operation time and theatre cost were low in mini laparotomy cholecystectomies but these patients required more post operative analgesics. There was no significant difference in total hospital stay and resumption to routine activities. Total cost to hospital and patient was also similar for these two techniques. There were two common bile duct injuries in laparoscopic group and none in mini cholecystectomies and there was no mortality in either group. We conclude that results of mini laparotomy cholecystectomy are very much similar to laparoscopic cholecystectomy and it can be used as an alternative to laparoscopic technique.