Outpatient recovery after laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Economic incentives and technologic advances have encouraged health care providers to shift an increasing portion of postoperative care out of the hospital. Selected patients undergo complex outpatient surgical procedures and are discharged within 24 hours of surgery. Because this trend is relatively new, published accounts of patients' experiences with at-home recovery are rare. Consequently, the authors conducted a qualitative study of 19 patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy procedures on an outpatient basis. Using semistructured postoperative telephone interviews, the authors monitored the patients' recovery processes. One theme (ie, toward a usual self) with two patterns (ie, progressive activity, self-management) emerged. The results reveal patients' definitions of recovery, understanding of postoperative instructions, willingness to ask questions, and advice for patients undergoing similar procedures. Nursing implications for discharge instructions and follow-up care also are discussed.