Laparoscopic cholecystectomy in outpatient surgery

INTRODUCTION: The aim of the study was to describe the organisation of laparoscopic cholecystectomy in outpatient surgery and to discuss whether the method should be the future treatment of choice. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective descriptive study was carried out on 133 consecutive patients in the period 1 October 1999 to 30 September 2000. RESULTS: Seventy-seven per cent of the patients were discharged directly from the Department of Outpatient Surgery and 121 (97%) who underwent laparoscopy were discharged within 23 hours of the operation. The postoperative complication rate was 1.5% and the frequency of readmittance was 5%. DISCUSSION: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is suitable for outpatient surgery and appears to be a recommendable setting for this operation. The method is safe and associated with few complications and readmittances.