Is 24-hour observation necessary after elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy?

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is now the procedure of choice for symptomatic gallbladder disease. The procedure can be done safely and cost effectively on an outpatient basis, either as same-day surgery or with 24-hour observation. This report represents a retrospective chart review of 60 patients having elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy. A comparison was made between same-day surgery and 24-hour observation. Of the 60 elective cases, 33 were done as a same-day procedure, and 27 were followed by 24-hour observation. There were no major complications and no return visits to the emergency room (ER) or hospital in either group. The average cost of same-day surgery was $4,940, and the average cost for 24-hour observation was $6,118. We found no advantage to routinely keeping patients for 24-hour observation. Elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy as same-day surgery is safe and cost effective.