Dollars and cents: minicholecystectomy and early discharge.
We present minicholecystectomy as a means of cost containment and discharge from the hospital 24 to 48 hours later. Among 450 patients undergoing this form of cholecystectomy through a 4 cm incision, only 49 stayed longer than an average of 1.2 days; all of those patients had preexisting surgical problems, some of which were corrected concurrently. Forty-two patients were admitted on the morning of the day of operation and stayed an average of 1.07 days. The mortality was 1/450 (0.2%); the complication rate was 3.1%. We have found the shorter and earlier procedure an excellent and safe means of cost containment and recommend that earlier discharge be considered for other procedures as well.
Goco
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Department of Surgery, Wake Forest University Medical Center, Winston-Salem, NC.
Chambers
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D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002763:Cholecystectomy / Q000191:economics* / Q000379:methods; D003363:Cost Control; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications