In a study of over 1000 patients with symptomatic gallstones, early keyhole surgery (laparoscopic cholecystectomy) may have prevented serious complications or acute hospital admissions, resulting in potentially major financial savings for the National Health Service. The Exeter Upper GI team which published the findings in the journal Annals of the Royal College of Surgeons recommended long-term investment in permanent solutions, rather than short-term fixes to deal with long waiting lists.
