title: Short-term outcomes of laparoscopic transcystic common bile duct exploration with discharge less than 24 hours.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Reducing the length of stay and discharge time for patients could benefit multiple hospital units by saving money, reducing waiting time, and providing the opportunity for more patients to be treated. However, no experience of laparoscopic transcystic common bile duct exploration (LTCBDE) with discharge less than 24 hours has been reported until now. The objective of this study was to assess the feasibility and safety of LTCBDE with discharge less than 24 hours.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective review showed that 34 of 111 patients scheduled in our institution were discharged less than 24 hours after LTCBDE between June 1 and December 31, 2011. A multimodal approach including appropriate preoperative assessment, education and counseling, early postoperative oral intake, and early mobilization was carried out. Outcomes were analyzed for patient demographics, postoperative stay, operation time, intraoperative bleeding, and reasons for failed LTCBDE.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 111 patients admitted for LTCBDE, 34 patients were discharged within 24 hours postoperatively. This study population comprised 11 males and 23 females with a mean age of 54.6±14.7 years (range, 28-79 years). The mean postoperative stay was 20.21±0.39 hours. There were no postoperative complications or deaths during the hospital stay or at the follow-up 12 months postoperatively in these 34 patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  LTCBDE with discharge less than 24 hours is feasible and safe in selected patients with common bile duct stones of no more than three in number and no more than 6 mm in size. The benefit of the multimodal approach and LTCBDE may be synergistic, allowing a quick recovery of gastrointestinal function.
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of General Surgery, Beijing Friendship Hospital of Capital Medical University , Beijing, People's Republic of China .
authors.forename: Jie-gao
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Han
authors.forename: Zhong-tao
authors.initials: ZT
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Jianshe
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Li
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D049448:Cholangiopancreatography, Magnetic Resonance; D017081:Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic / Q000379:methods*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D042882:Gallstones / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D061646:Operative Time; D010351:Patient Discharge; D011182:Postoperative Care; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome