[Laparoscopic cholecystectomy as an outpatient procedure].
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was to describe our experience with laparoscopic cholecystectomy as an outpatient procedure in terms of complications, same-day discharge, and a registration of patient' postoperative pain, convalescence and contact with general practitioners.


METHODS
A prospective evaluation was done of the first 231 patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy in an outpatient clinic.


RESULTS
Ninety per cent of the patients were discharged directly from the outpatient clinic, and a total of 93% of the patients were discharged within 24 hours of the operation. The readmission rate was 1%. Leakage from the cystic duct occurred in one case (0.4%), and no other injuries to the bile ducts were observed. The conversion rate was 1%. Within a week 54% of the patients had no pain and 55% of the patients had resumed normal activity. Postoperatively, 25% of the patients had contact with a general practitioner due to wound and other complaints that required no intervention.


CONCLUSIONS
Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is very suitable as an outpatient procedure due to its high same-day discharge rate and high patient satisfaction combined with low readmission and complication rates. Our study did expose, however, a high number of postoperative contacts with general practitioners due to non-surgical problems, which emphasizes the need for better patient information and cooperation with general practitioners to optimize the outpatient procedure further.
Jakobsen
Henrik Loft
HL
Amtssygehuset i Gentofte, Kirurgisk Gastroenterologisk Afdeling D. hloft@dadlnet.dk
Gögenur
Ismail
I
Jacobsen
Bo
B
Vilmann
Peter
P
Rosenberg
Jacob
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000556:Ambulatory Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D017081:Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D042882:Gallstones / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000175:diagnosis; D010351:Patient Discharge; D010359:Patient Readmission; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires