Outpatient laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a reality.
BACKGROUND
The author reports on his personal experience with outpatient laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC), focusing on the main guidelines for preoperative and postoperative care and operating technique.


METHODS
From January 1, 2000 to December 31, 2000, 71 laparoscopic cholecystectomies were performed on outpatients. The patients remained in the outpatient surgery center for 36 hours. In 4 cases, the operation was converted into laparotomy. Twenty patients remained in the hospital and were discharged 5 to 7 days later. Twelve were rehospitalized due to pathologies that could not be treated at home.


RESULTS
In all 71 cases, a complete remission of the symptoms occurred, and none of the patients died either during the operation or during the postoperative period. Eighty percent of patients were treated in outpatient surgery centers.


CONCLUSIONS
With clear guidelines, LC is a major surgical operation that can be performed in outpatient surgery centers without death or other major complications and with very good remission of symptoms.
Maggiore
Daniele
D
Monteverdi Day Hospital, Milan, Italy. maggiore@ippocrate.net
D000556:Ambulatory Surgical Procedures; D017081:Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic; D000075202:Contraindications; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged