A consecutive series of 220 laparoscopic cholecystectomies (June 1990 to May 1991) is presented. These were the author's initial experience of the technique. Procedures were elective (205) and acute (15), including 3 gangrenous cholecystitis and 4 empyema. There were 166 females and 34 males, 12-75 years, weighing 44-115 kg. Forty-eight patients had prior abdominal surgery. Two hundred and eleven patients had successful laparoscopic cholecystectomies, 6 open cholecystectomies and 3 mini-laparotomies to remove split stones. None of the last 120 cases were opened. Operating time ranged from 20 min to 3 h 20 min. There were 4 serious complications: 2 bile leaks from the gall-bladder bed and 2 jejunal injuries (Veres needle and 5 mm trocar). Sixty-one patients were discharged the next day, 29 on day 2, 5 on day 3, 4 on day 4, 1 on day 5, 1 on day 22 and 1 on day 27. At two weeks follow-up all but 2 patients had fully recovered.