Tubeless, drainless, short-stay cholecystectomy

Of 340 patients undergoing elective cholecystectomy for gallstone disease, 41 (12%) required an abdominal drain and 22 (65%) required a nasogastric tube postoperatively to control vomiting. Eighty six percent patients were discharged on the third post-operative day; 53% were satisfied with the early discharge. In our opinion, routine use of nasogastric tube and abdominal drain is not necessary and patients can be safely discharged on the third postoperative day after an uncomplicated cholecystectomy.