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Is 24-hour observation necessary after elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy?
Background:
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.
Methods:
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.
Results:
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.
Conclusions:
We found no advantage to routinely keeping patients for 24-hour observation. Elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy as same-day surgery is safe and cost effective.