Laparoscopic cholecystectomy: the critical view of safety

Key points

1. Clear the hepatocystic triangle of fat and fibrous tissue.
2. Separate the lower third of the gallbladder from the cystic plate (liver bed).
3. Exactly two structures should enter the gallbladder: the cystic duct and the cystic artery.
4. If the view cannot be achieved, use a bail-out such as subtotal cholecystectomy.
5. Bile duct injury is the complication the critical view is designed to prevent.

The recorded lesson is in production. The preview plays the key points; the outline is below.

Lesson outline

1. 00:00 Why bile duct injuries happen
2. 01:30 Anatomy of the hepatocystic triangle
3. 03:30 Dissection to the critical view
4. 05:30 The time-out before clipping
5. 07:00 Bail-out strategies