Relevance of day care laparoscopic cholecystectomy in a developing nation

Feasibility, safety and success of day care laparoscopic cholecystectomy (DCLC) has been well established in advanced countries. The information on (DCLC) is not available from developing nations. All patients of gallstone disease undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy under the care of the two participating surgeons at the post graduate Institute of Medical Education & Research were considered for day care laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The selection criteria were: elective cases only, patients less than 70 years, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) grade I and Grade II, living within 20 Kilometers of the hospital, availability of a responsible adult carer at home, access to a telephone and a means of transportation to hospital if needed. Clinical and operative data were recorded prospectively. All patients were discharged 6 to 8 hours after surgery with the advice to contact the surgical team over phone whenever necessary or on the day after discharge. Out of the total 236 laparoscopic cholecystectomy performed over a period of 26 months, 106 patients (44.9%) underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy as day care procedure. Five patients (4.8%) were admitted after surgery. Four patients were admitted because of conversion and one patient was admitted because of suspected myocardial infarction. Hundred and one patients (95.2%) were discharged on the same day. There was no major morbidity and patient's acceptance was high. Day care laparoscopic cholecystectomy is feasible, safe, and acceptable to patients.