Dear colleague,

            We very much appreciate your scientific contribution and publications in the field of laparoscopic surgery. We would be honoured if you could kindly give us your opinion on the proposed use of the simple term "cholecystectomy" to describe the "laparoscopic cholecystectomy" while "open cholecystectomy" should be the term used specifically when referring to the open procedure. Attached please find a "pdf" copy of a relevant letter, recently published in Med Princ Pract. 2003 Oct-Dec; 12(4): 276 entitled 'Laparoscopic cholecystectomy' or simply 'cholecystectomy'? "Polychronidis A, Karayiannakis AJ, Simopoulos C'. A simple question, follow this letter, and it would of great value if you could give us your opinion, by spending a minute marking the answer your prefer and sending this back to us.

            Please tick your preference