Hospital stay and return to full activity following laparoscopic colorectal surgery

The short-term benefits of laparoscopic surgery are well established, particularly within an enhanced recovery program. Early return to activity is to be expected but has not been quantified. The aim of this study was to measure the hospital stay and return to full activity following laparoscopic colorectal surgery and compare this with laparoscopic cholecystectomy and laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair.

All totally laparoscopic gallbladder, inguinal hernia, and colorectal operations performed between January 2003 and October 2006 were included. Outcomes were collected from a prospective database and case notes. Post discharge information was collected by telephone interview. A comparison was made by creating 4 groups: laparoscopic cholecystectomy, laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair (Transabdominal PrePeritoneal [TAPP]), laparoscopic colorectal nonresectional, and resectional surgery.

The median hospital stay following laparoscopic colorectal resection was 7 days, while in the cholecystectomy and hernia group it was 1 day. The median return to full activity after discharge from the hospital was 4, 5, 3, and 7 days in the laparoscopic cholecystectomy, inguinal hernia repair, nonresection, and colorectal resection groups, respectively.

Following laparoscopic colorectal surgery, patients can be expected to return to their usual activities within a week after discharge from the hospital and less than 2 weeks from surgery.