Can laparoscopic cholecystectomy be a same-day procedure?

Abstract

Gall bladder surgery by video-laparoscopy (VL) can now successfully fulfill the same goals as traditional surgery and is associated with comparable, if not better, results both in terms of positive surgical outcome and patient satisfaction. With public health spending under growing social and administrative pressures, and continuous efforts being focused on enhancing the efficiency of both surgical instruments and operating procedures, it is a most attractive, albeit initially challenging, prospect to regard video-laparoscopic surgery as day-care surgery. In the period January 1994 to December 1996, 1334 patients underwent VL cholecystectomy (898 were women and 436 men). A total of 1034 laparoscopies used gas and 300 were gas-less. Of the 1334 patients, 72 (5.4%) were treated on an outpatient basis. The authors assess this option, in light of recent technical developments and of the relevant major organisational and professional implications, and consider the feasibility of a day-care surgery project which might be implemented.