Outcome and patient acceptance of outpatient laparoscopic cholecystectomy

The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate patients' experience and the outcome of outpatient laparoscopic cholecystectomy performed by a single upper gastrointestinal surgeon at a district hospital. Between November 1999 and May 2003, 100 patients underwent outpatient laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Patients were followed up at 2 weeks as outpatients, and a questionnaire was mailed to all patients to assess their experiences. None of the patients required conversion to open cholecystectomy. One patient required admission to the hospital following drain insertion, and one patient was readmitted for pain control. One patient developed an epigastric port infection that resolved with antibiotics. Sixty-eight of the 100 patients completed the postal questionnaire. Thirty-five patients rated their overall experience as excellent. Twenty-three patients experienced very mild or no pain. All patients' right upper quadrant pain subsided or improved following surgery except one patient who stated that it became worse. Sixty-three patients (92.7%) stated they would recommend outpatient laparoscopic cholecystectomy to a friend or relative. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy can be performed safely as an outpatient procedure with a high acceptance and satisfaction rate in select patients.