Boston—When laparoscopic cholecystectomy was introduced a generation ago, the procedure revolutionized the task of surgically removing a troublesome gallbladder. For most patients, the “lap chole” eased discomfort after surgery, leading to a short hospital stay or, more commonly, an outpatient procedure.
But lap choles also created a significant problem from the outset: a higher number of bile duct injuries (BDIs) than open cholecystectomies. The problem persists,