Gall stone disease (GSD) is common all over the world, including India; it is very common in the northern states of the country, including Rajasthan. Cholecystectomy is the commonest operation performed by a general surgeon. We, the surgeons, usually offer laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) as a short-stay procedure and the patients also expect a quick recovery and early return to work.

A complication, especially bile duct injury (BDI), may belie these assurances and expectations and may even have long-term ill-effects; it may result in a problem for the surgeon also in terms of a medico-legal suit. It is, therefore, imperative that EVERY surgeon makes EVERY effort to make EVERY cholecystectomy safe, for the patient as well for himself/herself.