Background: This study reviewed the results of performing day case laparoscopic cholecystectomy
to assess the feasibility and safety of the procedure as a day case.
Materials and Methods: This is a prospective study of 150 day case laparoscopic cholecystectomies
performed between September 1999 and December 2004 under the care of the senior author. The
results of a follow-up questionnaire to assess post-discharge clinical course and patient satisfaction
were analyzed. All patients had commenced eating and drinking and were fully mobile before discharge
home. The length of hospital stay was 4–8 hours.
Results: The mean age of the patients was 43 years; 134 patients had an American Society of
Anesthesiologists grade I, the remaining 16 patients were grade II. The mean operative time was 41
minutes. There were no conversions to open procedures. There was no bleeding, no visceral injury,
and no mortality. There was one admission directly from the day surgical unit (admission rate of
0.6%), but no readmission following discharge. No patients were admitted due to postoperative nausea
or pain. Ninety-nine (66%) of 150 patients responded to our questionnaire: 97% were satisfied
about the information they had received. Patients rateed their satisfaction with the procedure as
follows: 75% excellent, 21% good, 3% satisfied, and 1 patient unsatisfied. Ninety-four percent of
the patients would recommend the procedure as a day case.
Conclusion: Day case laparoscopic cholecystectomy is safe, feasible, and cost-effective when patients
are carefully selected. It provides good patient satisfaction.
