Laparoscopic cholecystectomy: first, do no harm; second, take care of bile duct stones

Editorial. The introduction of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) in the USA in 1989 marked the beginning of what has become know as the ‘‘laparoscopic revolution’’ [1–4]. It was quickly adopted among surgeons in private practice. The Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES) was the first organization to take the lead in ensuring patient safety by insisting on quality training through certified training courses, establishing guidelines, and introducing credentialing criteria for laparoscopic surgery. More than two decades later, it is time for SAGES to assume a leadership role in addressing two major and troublesome issues that remain in laparoscopic biliary surgery relating to patient safety and high-quality outcomes