Objective To summarize the experiences of “three holes and one hook in the end (TOE)” laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) in 1 260 cases and to investigate the operation procedures, technical points and the prevention of complications. Methods The data of 1 260 patients suffering from chronic calculous cholecystitis, acute calculous cholecystitis, atrophic cholecystitis, gallbladder polyps etc., who were admitted to this hospital and treated by TOE from March 1999 to March 2008 were included and analysed retrospectively in this study. Results One thousand two hundred and sixty of cases were cured, including 1 252 cases of succeeding LC (99.37%), conversions to open in 8 cases, no death, no bile duct injury, with intraoperative hemorrhage in 3 cases, umbilicus infection in 2 cases, gallbladder fossa hydrops in 3 cases, with operation time for 8-60 min (mean 38.5 min) and hospitalization for 3-7 d (mean 5 d ) after surgery. During the follow up of 1 002 cases for 1 to 7 years (mean 3.5 years), there were no complications such as bile fistula, bile duct stricture, residual stones of biliary duct, etc.. Conclusion TOE is worthy of application and promotion for the excellent effectiveness, few complications, rapid recovery and safety.
