Initial results of a prospective trial of outpatient laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
BACKGROUND
Whether or not laparoscopic cholecystectomy may be performed safely as an outpatient procedure is controversial. In 1993, a protocol for outpatient laparoscopic cholecystectomy was instituted to determine the benefits and safety of discharging patients within several hours of surgery.


METHODS
The initial 60 outpatient laparoscopic cholecystectomies performed by one surgeon in a hospital-based outpatient teaching facility between February 1993 to June 1996 were prospectively studied.


RESULTS
Fifty-eight (97%) patients were discharged successfully after an average stay in the recovery room of 3 h. There were no deaths. Two patients required overnight observation and three patients required readmission. Two patients (3%) had cystic duct leak. The average hospital stay for all patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy at the institution (inpatient and outpatient) decreased from 3.2 to 1.5 days and the average hospital cost decreased from $7,800 to $4,600 during this period.


CONCLUSIONS
Laparoscopic cholecystectomy in an outpatient setting is safe and cost-effective in healthy patients.
Narain
P K
PK
Department of Surgery, Box No. 980475, Medical College of Virginia Hospitals, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298-0475, USA.
DeMaria
E J
EJ
D000328:Adult; D000556:Ambulatory Surgical Procedures; D017081:Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic / Q000379:methods*; D002764:Cholecystitis / Q000601:surgery; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome