BACKGROUND The open subtotal cholecystectomy technique has simplified removal of the difficult gallbladder. Increasing laparoscopic experience has made laparoscopic subtotal cholecystectomy (LSC) a feasible option in patients with complicated acute or chronic cholecystitis. METHODS LSC was performed in 29 patients with severe inflammation or fibrosis of the gallbladder associated with gallstone disease over a 23-month period. These 29 patients (mean age 53 years; 22 women) constituted 8.5 per cent of the total number of laparoscopic cholecystectomies performed (n = 340) and 15.6 per cent of 186 patients with acute cholecystitis. Eighteen patients in the latter group underwent conversion to open cholecystectomy. The indications for LSC were acute cholecystitis/empyema (n = 23) and severe fibrosis (n = 6). RESULTS The cystic duct was either clipped before division (n = 15), sutured (n = 2) or ligated using an Endoloop (n = 10). In two patients the gallbladder bed was drained without isolating the cystic duct. The posterior wall of the gallbladder was left intact to avoid excessive bleeding or damage to bile ducts in the gallbladder bed. A suction drain was inserted in 14 cases. Median operating time was 73 (range 45-130) min. One patient died after operation from a myocardial infarction. Six patients had local complications (two haematomas, three bile leaks, one minor wound sepsis) and nine developed respiratory infections. Median hospital stay was 5 (range 2-28) days. CONCLUSIONS LSC is a safe, relatively simple and definitive procedure allowing removal of a difficult gallbladder and reducing the need for open conversion or cholecystostomy in the majority of patients.