the operation primer provides excellent photographic step-by-step guidance to the surgical procedure. it has been produced to describe the operation in the simplest manner possible without over-symplifying. the core of the operation primer is the section on the nodal points where the surgical key steps are described in detail. this surgical guide book proves essential reference material to surgeons wishing to update in this specific area. the operation primer laparoscopic cholecystectomy provides one means of understanding and learning the now largely standardized procedure of laparoscopic cholecystectomy through a series of clearly defined individual steps (the so-called nodal points). following this systematic procedure is an important step towards the avoidance of complications.