A German's Perspective on the Way toward Ambulatory Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy: A Postoperative Questionnaire

Ambulatory surgeries are on the rise in recent years and can offer benefits to patients as well as healthcare providers. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is one of the procedures commonly done in an ambulatory setting, in some European countries. This study aims to gather patients' perceptions towards ambulatory cholecystectomy after undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy in an inpatient setting.

A total of 300 patients from two different hospitals in Germany received a postoperative questionnaire aimed at evaluating their willingness to undergo an ambulatory surgery. Surgeries were performed between January 1, 2017, and July 11, 2018. Operation setting (acute vs. elective), ASA classification, length of hospital stay, age, sex, living situation and location (city vs. rural), as well as status of employment were documented.

Overall, 23% of patients reported considering ambulatory laparoscopic cholecystectomy (ALC), while 77% rejected an ALC. Objections included fear of complications (69%), anticipated pain (65%), concerns about their living situation/home care (21%), other reasons (8%), nausea and vomiting (3.4%). Baseline characteristics of the participants provided no statistical significance on willingness to undergo ALC: acute versus elective (p = 0.22), ASA classification (p = 0.77), age ≥65 years versus <65 years (p = 0.60), gender (p = 0.07), living situation (p = 0.49), location (p = 0.15).

There is a willingness for ALC, albeit still limited. Chosen criteria did not show a significant association for positive perception of ALC.