Ambulatory laparoscopic cholecystectomy outcomes.

Background: Outpatient laparoscopic cholecystectomy is an established practice in the United States, but it is not well established in the United Kingdom, and evidence of experience is scarce. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of ambulatory laparoscopic cholecystectomy on postoperative morbidity and possible cost savings. We tried to elucidate possible predictors of unplanned admission and readmission rates after discharge.
Methods: This study was conducted in 2 phases. The first phase involved 112 patients and was a retrospective analysis from January 2002 to July 2003 (19 months). The second was a prospective study involving 86 patients from August 2003 to April 2005 (21 months). Consultants, associate specialists, or higher surgical trainees performed the surgeries in a dedicated outpatient procedure unit. The study ended 6 weeks after the operation.
Results: Hospital mortality was zero. Overall, 29 (15%) patients required unplanned admissions. Three (1.5%) patients required conversion to open cholecystectomy. Other causes included simple observations (7), wound pain (6), nausea and vomiting (6), suction drain (2), urinary retention (2), operation in the afternoon (2), and shoulder pain (1). Of the patients discharged, 7 (3.5%) required readmission after the initial discharge. Five of the 7 readmissions were wound related and treated conservatively. Two patients underwent laparotomy.
Conclusion: Ambulatory laparoscopic cholecystectomy appears to be safe, feasible, and cost-effective with a low conversion rate. The unplanned admission rate can be reduced by better training, criteria for discharge, and improvement in anesthesia. This will have implications for surgical training and healthcare resources.