Forty-five studies (2,626 patients, range 20 to 297) were included in the review.
There were 19 bile duct injuries at an injury rate of 0.72% (the historical rate for standard laparoscopic cholecystectomy was 0.4% to 0.5%). The gallbladder retraction method, commercial device utilisation, number of ports/trocars used and length of surgery were not associated with the rate of bile duct injuries.
Overall complication rate was 4.2%. The number of complications and presence of acute cholecystitis were not associated with the rate of bile duct injuries.
Data on mortality were not reported.