The risk factor "surgeon" in laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Since many evaluations of risk factors exclude the risk factors surgeon for conversion of laparoscopic surgery, we examined a potential surgeon-dependency of conversion rate in laparoscopic surgery. 12 different surgeons performed a total of 933 laparoscopic cholecystectomies within 2 years. No major complications occurred. The number of operations per surgeon varied from 25 to 227. The conversion rate showed an individual rate between 0% and 33.3%(mean: 11.3%). Interestingly, the most experienced surgeon had the highest conversion rate. Two surgeons who operated more than 100 patients each, the conversion rate was low (6.3% and 7.5%). Obviously, general surgical experience does not necessarily correspond to a lower incidence of conversion. The higher conversion rate of the most experienced surgeon is partially explained by an extraordinary experience in conventional surgery resulting in a high preparedness to convert.