title: Is 24-hour observation necessary after elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is now the procedure of choice for symptomatic gallbladder disease. The procedure can be done safely and cost effectively on an outpatient basis, either as same-day surgery or with 24-hour observation.
  
  
  METHODS
  This report represents a retrospective chart review of 60 patients having elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy. A comparison was made between same-day surgery and 24-hour observation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 60 elective cases, 33 were done as a same-day procedure, and 27 were followed by 24-hour observation. There were no major complications and no return visits to the emergency room (ER) or hospital in either group. The average cost of same-day surgery was $4,940, and the average cost for 24-hour observation was $6,118.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We found no advantage to routinely keeping patients for 24-hour observation. Elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy as same-day surgery is safe and cost effective.
authors.forename: J T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Critchlow
authors.forename: L M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Paugh
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000556:Ambulatory Surgical Procedures / Q000191:economics; D017081:Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic / Q000191:economics; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008875:Middle Aged; D008923:Missouri; D012189:Retrospective Studies