Predictive factors for unanticipated admissions after ambulatory laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
OBJECTIVE
Analysis of the causes of unanticipated admission after ambulatory laparoscopic cholecystectomy may permit the identification of predictive clinical factors for postoperative admission.


METHODS
Univariate and multivariate analyses of clinical variables associated with unplanned admission in a retrospective case-control series of ambulatory laparoscopic cholecystectomies.


METHODS
A major university-affiliated teaching hospital.


METHODS
Seven hundred thirty-one consecutive patients who underwent ambulatory laparoscopic cholecystectomies between January 1, 1996, and December 31, 1999.


METHODS
Ambulatory laparoscopic cholecystectomy.


METHODS
Unplanned postoperative admissions. Univariate and multivariate analyses of 19 clinicopathologic factors were performed to identify independent predictive factors for these admissions.


RESULTS
Seven hundred six patients were discharged on the day of operation. The remaining 25 required admission because of pain (n = 10), nausea and vomiting (n = 6), retention of urine (n = 5), patient preference (n = 3), and medical observation (n = 1), giving an unanticipated admission rate of 3.4%. Significant factors associated with unplanned admission included operative duration of longer than 60 minutes and thickened gallbladder wall on ultrasonographic and pathological findings. By means of logistic regression, length of operation was the only independent predictive factor. Operative time exceeding 60 minutes incurred a 4-fold increased risk for unanticipated admission.


CONCLUSIONS
Operative duration was the best predictive factor for unplanned admission after ambulatory laparoscopic cholecystectomy. During selection of patients for day surgery, ultrasonographic demonstration of a thickened gallbladder wall should be taken into consideration.
Lau
H
H
Department of Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 75 Francis St, Boston, MA 02115, USA. dcbrooks@bics.bwh.harvard.edu
Brooks
D C
DC
D000328:Adult; D000556:Ambulatory Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D017081:Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D005704:Gallbladder / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D010149:Postoperative Pain; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D020250:Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting; D012307:Risk Factors; D014463:Ultrasonography; D016055:Urinary Retention / Q000209:etiology