After the meteoric entry of minimally invasive surgery onto the general surgery scene 9 years ago, it currently stands at a crossroads with regard to the 21st century. Many challenges hamper safe and costeffective deployment of minimally invasive techniques. There must be a stabilization and reduction of complication rates associated with laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Common bile duct injuries are in fact two to three times higher for laparoscopic cholecystectomy than for the open procedure. This matter has been discussed only at local morbidity and mortality conferences or at national meetings. Patients are being injured. The surgical community has failed to police itself and the public knows it. This led in 1992 to New York State health officials setting standards of training and surgeon preparedness for performing laparoscopic cholecystectomy. If surgeons don't handle the problem, the politicians and the lawyers soon will.