Routine day-case laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Association of day-case rates with post COVID-19 recovery of elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy activity across England

INTRODUCTION

The aim of this study was to investigate the safety of day-case laparoscopic cholecystectomy, and the association between day-case rates and, post the COVID-19 pandemic, recovery of activity to prepandemic levels for integrated care boards (ICBs) in England.

METHODS

This was a retrospective observational study of the Hospital Episodes Statistics (HES) data set. Elective laparoscopic cholecystectomies for the period 1 January 2019 to 31 December 2022 were identified. Activity levels for 2022 were compared with those for the whole of 2019 (baseline). Day-case activity was identified where the length of stay recorded in the HES was zero days.

RESULTS

Data were available for 184,252 patients across the 42 ICBs in England, of which 120,408 (65.3%) were day-case procedures. By December 2022, activity levels for the whole of England had returned to 88.2% of prepandemic levels. The South West region stood out as having recovered activity levels to the greatest extent, with activity at 97.3% of prepandemic levels during 2022. The South West also had the highest postpandemic day-case rate at 74.9% of all patients seen as a day-case during 2022; this compares with an England average of 65.3%. At an ICB level, there was a significant correlation between day-case rates and postpandemic activity levels (r = 0.362, p = 0.019). There was no strong or consistent evidence that day-case surgery had poorer patient outcomes than inpatient surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

Recovery of elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy activity has been better in South West England than in other regions. Increasing day-case rates may be important if ICBs in other regions are to increase activity levels up to and beyond prepandemic levels.

A Prospective Cohort Analysis of the Prevalence and Predictive Factors of Delayed Discharge After Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy in Italy: The DeDiLaCo Study

BACKGROUND

The concept of early discharge ≤24 hours after Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy (LC) is still doubted in Italy. This prospective multicentre study aims to analyze the prevalence of patients undergoing elective LC who experienced a delayed discharge >24 hours in an extensive Italian national database and identify potential limiting factors of early discharge after LC.

METHODS

This is a prospective observational multicentre study performed from January 1, 2021 to December 31, 2021 by 90 Italian surgical units.

RESULTS

A total of 4664 patients were included in the study. Clinical reasons were found only for 850 patients (37.7%) discharged >24 hours after LC. After excluding patients with nonclinical reasons for delayed discharge >24 hours, 2 groups based on the length of hospitalization were created: the Early group (≤24 h; 2414 patients, 73.9%) and the Delayed group (>24 h; 850 patients, 26.1%). At the multivariate analysis, ASA III class ( P <0.0001), Charlson's Comorbidity Index (P=0.001), history of choledocholithiasis (P=0.03), presence of peritoneal adhesions (P<0.0001), operative time >60 min (P<0.0001), drain placement (P<0.0001), pain ( P =0.001), postoperative vomiting (P=0.001) and complications (P<0.0001) were independent predictors of delayed discharge >24 hours.

CONCLUSIONS

The majority of delayed discharges >24 hours after LC in our study were unrelated to the surgery itself. ASA class >II, advanced comorbidity, the presence of peritoneal adhesions, prolonged operative time, and placement of abdominal drainage were intraoperative variables independently associated with failure of early discharge.

Ambulatory laparoscopic cholecystectomy: Systematic review and meta-analysis of predictors of failure

BACKGROUND

Outpatient laparoscopic cholecystectomy has proven to be a safe and cost-effective technique; however, it is not yet a universally widespread procedure. The aim of the study was to determine the predictive factors of outpatient laparoscopic cholecystectomy failure.

METHOD

A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis methodology. MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, Ovid, and ISRCTN Registry were searched. The main variables were demographic (age, sex), clinical (weight, American Society of Anesthesiologists classification, previous complicated biliary pathology, history of abdominal surgery in supramesocolic compartment, gallbladder wall thickness), and surgical factors (operative time, afternoon surgery). The secondary variables were the prevalence rates of outpatient laparoscopic cholecystectomy failure due to pain or postoperative nausea and vomiting.

RESULTS

Fourteen studies (4,194 patients) were included, with a mean outpatient laparoscopic cholecystectomy failure rate of 23.4%. The predictors of outpatient laparoscopic cholecystectomy failure were: age ≥65 years (odds ratio: 2.34; 95% confidence interval, 1.42-3.86; P = .0009), body mass index ≥30 (odds ratio: 1.6; 95% confidence interval, 1.05-2.45; P = .03), American Society of Anesthesiologists score ≥III (odds ratio: 2.89; 95% confidence interval, 1.72-4.87; P < .0001), previous complicated biliary pathology (odds ratio: 2.39; 95% confidence interval, 1.40-4.06; P = .001), gallbladder wall thickening (odds ratio: 2.33; 95% confidence interval, 1.34-4.04; P = .003), surgical time exceeding 60 minutes (mean difference: -16.03; 95% confidence interval,-21.25 to -10.81; P < .00001), and the beginning of surgery after 1:00 pm (odds ratio: 4.20; 95% confidence interval, 1.97-11.96; P = .007). Sex (odds ratio: 1.07; 95% confidence interval, 0.73-1.57, P = .73) and history of abdominal surgery in the supramesocolic compartment (odds ratio: 2.32; 95 confidence interval, 0.92-5.82, P = .07) were not associated with outpatient laparoscopic cholecystectomy failure.

CONCLUSION

Our meta-analysis allowed us to identify the predictors of outpatient laparoscopic cholecystectomy failure. The knowledge of these factors could help surgeons in their decision-making process for the selection of patients who are suitable for outpatient laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Systematic review and meta-analysis of factors which reduce the length of stay associated with elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy

BACKGROUND

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a safe ambulatory procedure in appropriately selected patients; however, day case rates remain low. The objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to identify interventions which are effective in reducing the length of stay (LOS) or improving the day case rate for elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

METHODS

Comparative English-language studies describing perioperative interventions applicable to elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy in adult patients and their impact on LOS or day case rate were included.

RESULTS

Quantitative data were available for meta-analysis from 80 studies of 10,615 patients. There were an additional 17 studies included for systematic review. The included studies evaluated 14 peri-operative interventions. Implementation of a formal day case care pathway was associated with a significantly shorter LOS (MD = 24.9 h, 95% CI, 18.7-31.2, p < 0.001) and an improved day case rate (OR = 3.5; 95% CI, 1.5-8.1, p = 0.005). Use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatories, dexamethasone and prophylactic antibiotics were associated with smaller reductions in LOS.

CONCLUSION

Care pathway implementation demonstrated a significant impact on LOS and day case rates. A limited effect was noted for smaller independent interventions. In order to achieve optimal day case targets, a greater understanding of the effective elements of a care pathway and local barriers to implementation is required.

Improving the day case rate for laparoscopic cholecystectomy via introduction of a dedicated clinical pathway

Day case laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a safe and economical procedure. However, successful discharge on the same day of the procedure has been difficult to achieve at our institution. This study introduced a standardised anaesthetic pathway aiming to increase same day discharges. This led to an overall increase in same day discharges from 42.0% to 54.1%. When the pathway was fully followed, 71% of patients were discharged on the same day. When the pathway was not followed at all, the same day discharge rate was 0%. Our study successfully demonstrates that small enhancements to perioperative care can accelerate patient recovery and improve same day discharges.

Effect of pre-operative oral carbohydrate loading on recovery after day-case cholecystectomy: A randomised controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Pre-operative carbohydrate loading has been shown to reduce pre-operative discomfort and postoperative nausea and vomiting in general surgical patients. Few studies have considered day-case surgery.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this prospective randomised study was to determine whether pre-operative carbohydrate loading enhanced recovery after day-case cholecystectomy.

DESIGN

A randomised controlled trial.

SETTING

Secondary care in a district general and a university hospital in Finland between 2013 and 2016.

PATIENTS

A total of 113 patients American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status I or II aged 18 to 70 undergoing day-case cholecystectomy were included in the study. Exclusion criteria were bleeding or coagulation disorders, BMI more than 40 kg m, dementia, insulin-treated diabetes, migraine, Meniere's disease or a history of alcohol or drug abuse.

INTERVENTION

The carbohydrate-rich drink group received oral carbohydrate (200 ml) 2 to 3 h before surgery, and the control (fasting) group fasted from midnight according to standard protocol.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Visual analogue scales (VAS) were used to score six forms of discomfort: the need for analgesia and antiemetics, the time to drinking, eating and first mobilisation after surgery and the time to discharge. Any hospital re-admission was also recorded.

RESULTS

The highest VAS scores were seen for mouth dryness and tiredness 2 h after surgery in the fasting group. There were no significant differences in any VAS scores between the study groups. No differences in time to mobilisation, need for pain or antiemetic medication or time to discharge were seen between the groups.

CONCLUSION

Compared with overnight fasting, pre-operative carbohydrate loading did not significantly enhance peri-operative well being or recovery in patients undergoing day-case cholecystectomy.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT03757208.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy: do risk factors for a prolonged length of stay exist?

Gallstones are one of the most common morbidities in the world. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is the gold standard for gallbladder stones' removal. Few studies focus on the existence of predictive factors aimed at facilitating cholecystectomy in a day surgery setting. The aim of this retrospective study was to identify clinical factors that could guide day-surgery laparoscopic cholecystectomy safety. The study included 985 consecutive patients who underwent elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy for gallstone disease between May 2006 and February 2015. Patients were divided into two groups: group A with a length of stay ≤ 2 days (922 patients); group B with a length of stay > 2 days (63 patients). Univariate analysis showed that age, sex and the presence of obesity, cardiological, and nephrological comorbidities had a higher likelihood of a longer hospital stay. The logistic regression model showed that only age was a significant predictor of a longer stay. No complication has reached the statistical significance of extending the length of stay in group B. Conversely, the presence of such comorbidities has influenced the hospitalization. Our results allow the identification of a category of patients at high risk of hospitalization within 1 or 2 days from treatment. Moreover, we reported that there is no complication specifically affecting the length of stay. Our findings support the idea that a prolonged length of stay is not linked to the surgical procedure but to the patient's comorbidities.

Local infiltration versus laparoscopic-guided transverse abdominis plane block in laparoscopic cholecystectomy: double-blinded randomized control trial

BACKGROUND

Transverse abdominal plane block (TAP) is a new technique of regional block described to reduce postoperative pain in laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). Recent reports describe an easy technique to deliver local anesthetic agent under laparoscopic guidance.

METHODS

This randomized control trial was designed to compare the effectiveness of additional laparoscopic-guided TAP block against the standard full thickness port site infiltration. 45 patients were randomized in to each arm after excluding emergency LC, conversions, ones with coagulopathy, pregnancy and allergy to local anesthetics. All cases were four ports LC. Interventions-Both groups received standard port site infiltration with 3-5 ml of 0.25% bupivacaine. The test group received additional laparoscopic-guided TAP block with 20 ml of 0.25% bupivacaine subcostally, between the anterior axillary and mid clavicular lines. As outcome measures the pain score, opioid requirement, episodes of nausea and vomiting and time to mobilize was measured at 6 hourly intervals.

RESULTS

The two groups were comparable in the age, gender, body mass index, indication for cholecystectomy difficulty index and surgery duration. The pain score at 6 h (P = 0.043) and opioid requirement at 6 h (P = 0.026) was higher in the TAP group. These were similar in subsequent assessments. Other secondary outcomes were similar in the two groups.

CONCLUSION

Laparoscopic-guided transverses abdominis plane block using plain bupivacaine does not give an additional pain relief or other favorable outcomes. It can worsen the pain scores. Pre registration: The trial was registered in Sri Lanka clinical trial registry-SLCTR/2016/011 ( http://www.slctr.lk/trials/357 ).

Evaluation of patient safety and satisfaction in a program of ambulatory laparoscopic cholecystectomy program with expanded criteria

INTRODUCTION

The good results obtained with the implementation of ambulatory laparoscopic cholecystectomy programs have led to the expansion of the initial inclusion criteria. The main objective was to evaluate the results and the degree of satisfaction of the patients included in a program of laparoscopic cholecystectomy without admission, with expanded criteria.

METHODS

Observational study of a cohort of 260 patients undergoing ambulatory laparoscopic cholecystectomy between April 2013 and March 2016 in a third level hospital. We classified the patients into 2groups based on compliance with the initial inclusion criteria of the outpatient program. Group I (restrictive criteria) includes 164 patients, while in group ii (expanded criteria) we counted 96 patients. We compared the surgical time, the rate of failures in ambulatory surgery, rate of conversion, reinterventions and mortality and the satisfaction index.

RESULTS

The overall success rate of ambulatory laparoscopic cholecystectomy was 92.8%. The most frequent cause of unexpected income was for medical reasons. There was no statistically significant difference between the 2groups for total surgery time, the rate of conversion to open surgery and the number of major postoperative complications Do not demostrate differences in surgical time, nor in the number of perioperative complications (major complications 1,2%), or the number of failures in ambulatory surgery, nor the number of readmissions between both groups. There was no death. 88.5% of patients completed the survey, finding no differences between both groups in the patient satisfaction index. The overall score of the process was significantly better in group ii(P=.023).

CONCLUSIONS

Ambulatory laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a safe procedure with a good acceptance by patients with expanded criteria who were included in the surgery without admission program.

'True Day Case' Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy in a High-Volume Specialist Unit and Review of Factors Contributing to Unexpected Overnight Stay

Introduction

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is the gold standard treatment for gallstones. British Association of Day Case Surgery recommends at least 60% of LCs be performed as day cases. The aim of this study was to assess our rate of true day case LCs and review factors preventing same-day discharge.

Methods

We prospectively collected data of all elective LCs performed in a district general hospital over 32 months.

Results

500 patients underwent LC during this period; 438 (88.2%) patients were planned day cases and 59 patients (11.8%) planned overnight stays. Of the planned day cases, 75.8% (n=332) were discharged on the same day and 106 (24.2%) had unexpected overnight stay (UOS). Most patients with BMI >35 and ASA3 planned day case patients were successfully discharged. Drain insertion, longer operations, and late recovery departure were the main reasons for UOS. There were more complications in this group compared to day cases.

Conclusions

This unit has a high ‘true day case' rate of 75.8%. High BMI and ASA3 should not be absolute contraindications to day case surgery. The majority of unexpected overnight stays are unavoidable but may be reduced by patient selection, stringent preoperative assessment, operation scheduling, and reduction in unnecessary drain insertion.

Outpatient laparoscopic cholecystectomy: Experience of a university group practice in a developing country

Aims: In developed countries, efforts to improve outcome and minimize costs prompted the performance of laparoscopic cholecystectomy as an outpatient procedure. In the Philippines and in most developing countries, most laparoscopic cholecystectomies are still performed on admitted patients who are discharged one or more days after the surgery. No local experience has been published in the Philippines demonstrating the safety and feasibility of outpatient laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Materials and Methods: This study is a retrospective study investigating the outcome of outpatient performed laparoscopic cholecystectomy in the University of the Philippines, Philippine General Hospital Faculty Medical Arts Building (UP-PGH FMAB), an ambulatory surgical facility within UP-PGH. The patients were admitted to the ambulatory facility on the day of surgery, underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy under general anesthesia and discharged on the same day. Results: From June 2012 to June 2016, 122 patients underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy at the UP-PGH Faculty medical arts building. There were 80 women (85%) and 42 men (15%) with a mean age of 46 years. The mean operating time was 58 minutes. The unplanned admission rate was 2.4% (two patients), one for conversion to open and two for unrelieved postoperative nausea and vomiting. Conclusion: Outpatient laparoscopic cholecystectomy is safe and technically feasible even in developing countries. It has potential for much economical and social benefit when employed judiciously. Prospective, randomized trials must be conducted in the local setting to refine technique, standardize patient selection and address system deficiencies to allow safe performance of outpatient laparoscopy in the Philippines.

Minor laparoscopic liver resection: toward 1-day surgery?

BACKGROUND

Technical advances in laparoscopy and enhanced recovery after surgery programs have progressively decreased the need for hospitalization. The present study aimed to explore the feasibility and safety of an early discharge protocol after minor laparoscopic liver resection (LLR).

METHODS

The study sample consisted of patients with both benign and malignant hepatic lesions involving no more than two hepatic segments who underwent minor LLR and were discharged within 24 h. Patients were selected based on their fitness for surgery, proximity to the hospital, and availability of a responsible adult to care for them once discharged. Patients and their accompanying caregiver were instructed about the procedure, its potential complications, and the conditions required for an early discharge. They were also provided with a 24-h dedicated phone number for assistance.

RESULTS

Twenty-four patients [mean age 48.9 year (SD 14.75); 12 women] with no more than one comorbidity were included. The majority (87.5%) was classified as ASA I or II. Thirteen patients (46%) were operated on for malignant lesions. The median operative time was 90 min, the median pneumoperitoneum time was 60 min, and the estimated blood loss was 50 mL. Mortality was zero. No transfusion, conversion, or pedicule clamping was necessary. No anesthesia-related complications occurred. All patients were discharged at 24 h. Only one patient (4.2%) was readmitted at postoperative day 3 for intolerable abdominal pain due to a wound abscess that was treated by antibiotics.

CONCLUSION

By applying a standardized protocol for admission, preoperative workup, and anesthesia, early discharge after minor LLR can be successfully carried out in highly selected patients with minimal impact on primary healthcare services.

Day Care vs Overnight Stay after Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy even with Co-morbidity and a Possible Second Surgery: A Patient's Choice

INTRODUCTION

Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy (LC) has become the gold standard for symptomatic gall stone disease. It is being practiced as a day care procedure in healthy individuals in American Society of Anaesthesialogists (ASA) grade I and II. It is not yet established in presence of co-morbidity and when a second surgery is added. In most of the study, patient's choice and the psycho-social factors were not considered in deciding the day care procedure.

AIM

To find the safety of LC and a second surgery as day care in presence of compensated co-morbidity. To study the choice of the patient whether to stay in hospital or go home after declaring them fit for day care.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

All the patients of symptomatic cholelithiasis with co-morbidity and associations were evaluated and made uncompromising for elective surgery. All the LC were done at 8mmHg CO₂ peumo-peritoneal pressure using harmonic scalpel as the energy source for dissection of gall bladder from the liver bed. Cases with conversion and placement of drain were excluded.

RESULTS

A total of 1029 out of 1042 patients was included from Jan 2005 to Jan 2015. The age range was 38 to 91years (mean 44.65, SD 14.15). There were 634 females and 395 males. A total of 121(11.7%) of them had co-morbidity and associations. A total of 72(7%) had undergone a second surgery. Only 0.8% had real day care. A total of 95.7% had overnight stay even after fulfilling all the criteria. Only 0.2% needed re-admission in 30 days and one required intervention.

CONCLUSION

Patients like to stay over night in the hospital even if found fit for day care after LC. Overnight stay makes them happy, psycho-socially confident in developing nation and best suited for all patients including co-morbidity.

Day-case laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Objectives:

To assess the safety and feasibility of laparoscopic cholecystectomy as a day-case procedure.

Methods:

All consecutive patients who were admitted to the day-surgery unit for laparoscopic cholecystectomy at the Department of Surgery, King Saud Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia from July 2009 to June 2013 were considered for this retrospective study. The medical records were reviewed for age, gender, presenting symptoms, laboratory findings, imaging studies, American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA) grade, anesthesia, conversion to open cholecystectomy, complications, the operating surgeons, pain management, nausea, and vomiting, overnight stay, readmission, morbidity, mortality, and outpatient follow up were collected and analyzed.

Results:

A total of 487 patients underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy as a day case (ASA I=316, ASA II=171). Surgery was performed by high surgical trainees (HSTs) (n=417) and consultants (n=70) with conversion to open cholecystectomy in 4 patients. Twenty-two (5%) patients were admitted for overnight stay for different reasons, while 465 (95%) patients were discharged before 8 pm. Two patients (0.4 %) were re-admitted to the hospital due to abdominal pain. Five patients developed umbilical port site infection (1%). A total of 443 patients were satisfied (97%), while 14 (3%) were unsatisfied. There was no mortality or intra-abdominal septic collection.

Conclusion:

Day-case laparoscopic cholecystectomy is safe and feasible with optimal patient selection, education, and planned postoperative antiemetic and analgesia management.

Can Payers Use Prices to Improve Quality? Evidence from English Hospitals

In most activity-based financing systems, payers set prices reactively based on historical averages of hospital reported costs. If hospitals respond to prices, payers might set prices proactively to affect the volume of particular treatments or clinical practice. We evaluate the effects of a unique initiative in England in which the price offered to hospitals for discharging patients on the same day as a particular procedure was increased by 24%, while the price for inpatient treatment remained unchanged. Using national hospital records for 205,784 patients admitted for the incentivised procedure and 838,369 patients admitted for a range of non-incentivised procedures between 1 December 2007 and 31 March 2011, we consider whether this price change had the intended effect and/or produced unintended effects. We find that the price change led to an almost six percentage point increase in the daycase rate and an 11 percentage point increase in the planned daycase rate. Patients benefited from a lower proportion of procedures reverted to open surgery during a planned laparoscopic procedure and from a reduction in long stays. There was no evidence that readmission and death rates were affected. The results suggest that payers can set prices proactively to incentivise hospitals to improve quality.

Re-admission after gastro-intestinal surgery

Re-admission is a new concept in France, born with the advent of day-case surgery, and defined as any re-admission occurring within 30 days after surgery. The re-admission rate has increasingly come to be considered a criterion of the quality of medical care, by both the medical profession and by insurance companies. This report outlines the generalities and definitions related to re-admission after gastro-intestinal surgery, describes the current situation, rationalizes the value of re-admission rates as a measure of quality of care, details the risk factors for re-admission according to the type of intervention, exposes the possible means of prevention and what to do when a patient comes to the emergency room within 30 days after an operation.

Can abdominal surgical emergencies be treated in an ambulatory setting?

INTRODUCTION

The performance of emergency abdominal surgery in an outpatient setting is increasingly the order of the day in France. This review evaluates the feasibility and reliability of ambulatory surgical treatment of the most common abdominal emergencies: appendectomy for acute appendicitis and cholecystectomy for acute complications of gallstone disease (acute cholecystitis and gallstone pancreatitis).

METHODS

This study evaluates surgical procedures performed on an ambulatory basis according to the international definition (admission in the morning, discharge in the evening with a hospital stay of less than 12 hours). Just as for elective surgery, eligibility of patients for an ambulatory approach depends on the capacities of the surgical and anesthesia team: to manage the risks, particularly the risk of deferring surgery until the morning); to prevent or treat post-operative symptoms like pain, nausea, vomiting, re-ambulation in order to permit rapid post-operative discharge.

RESULTS

Recent studies have shown that appendectomy for non-complicated acute appendicitis can be deferred for up to 12 hours without any increase in danger. Many other studies have shown that early discharge after appendectomy for acute non-complicated appendicitis is feasible and safe. Nonetheless, there is only one published series of truly ambulatory appendectomies. The results were excellent. Patients who presented in the afternoon were brought back for operation the following morning. The appropriate timing for performance of cholecystectomy in patients with acute calculous cholecystitis or gallstone pancreatitis has not been well defined, but is always somewhat delayed relative to the onset of symptoms. To minimize operative complications, cholecystectomy for acute calculous cholecystitis should probably be performed between 24 and 72 hours after diagnosis. Cholecystectomy for gallstone pancreatitis should probably not be delayed longer than a week; the need to keep the patient hospitalized during the interval has not been demonstrated. Early discharge after cholecystectomy was usually possible, even in series where acute cholecystitis was diagnosed intra-operatively. Cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis and gallstone pancreatitis seems to be feasible but no reports specifically support this approach.

CONCLUSIONS

Emergency abdominal surgery seems to be feasible on an ambulatory setting for non-complicated acute appendicitis, acute calculous cholecystitis and gallstone pancreatitis. Only a single French series on ambulatory appendectomy for acute appendicitis has been reported.

Feasibility and safety of day-surgery laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a single-institution 5-year experience of 1140 cases

Backgrounds/Aims

We report our experience with day-surgery laparoscopic cholecystectomy and assess its feasibility and safety.

Methods

Data was collected on all the patients who underwent day-surgery laparoscopic cholecystectomy between February 2009 and February 2014 at Prince Sultan Military Medical City, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. All patients had symptomatic cholelithiasis that was proven on imaging studies with clearance of the common bile duct. The patient biographical data (age, gender, American Society of Anaesthesiology status, medical comorbidities) and surgical outcomes were then obtained. There was an evaluation of the success rate of day-surgery laparoscopic cholecystectomy, reasons for unexpected admission, and the re-admission rate.

Results

A total of 1,140 patients were included in this study. The success rate for day-surgery laparoscopic cholecystectomy was 96%. The reasons for unexpected hospital admission for 46 patients (4%) included persistent abdominal pain and postoperative emesis. The postoperative re-admission rate was 0.4% (5 patients). There were no major complications, and the conversion rate was 0.5% (6 patients).

Conclusions

We suggest that day-surgery laparoscopic cholecystectomy is both safe and feasible in a local setting. Careful patient selection is essential in ensuring a high success rate.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy: consensus conference-based guidelines

INTRODUCTION

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is the gold standard technique for gallbladder diseases in both acute and elective surgery. Nevertheless, reports from national surveys still seem to represent some doubts regarding its diffusion. There is neither a wide consensus on its indications nor on its possible related morbidity. On the other hand, more than 25 years have passed since the introduction of LC, and we have all witnessed the exponential growth of knowledge, skill and technology that has followed it. In 1995, the EAES published its consensus statement on laparoscopic cholecystectomy in which seven main questions were answered, according to the available evidence. During the following 20 years, there have been several additional guidelines on LC, mainly focused on some particular aspect, such as emergency or concomitant biliary tract surgery.

METHODS

In 2012, several Italian surgical societies decided to revisit the clinical recommendations for the role of laparoscopy in the treatment of gallbladder diseases in adults, to update and supplement the existing guidelines with recommendations that reflect what is known and what constitutes good practice concerning LC.

Effects of preoperative carbohydrates drinks on immediate postoperative outcome after day care laparoscopic cholecystectomy

BACKGROUND

Postoperative nausea and vomiting is the most common cause for unexpected hospital admission of patients undergoing day care surgery. Overnight fasting changes patient metabolic state and influences their perioperative stress response. Preoperative carbohydrate loading may have accelerated recovery and better overall outcome after major abdominal surgery. The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of preoperative carbohydrate-rich drinks on postoperative nausea and vomiting and pain after day care laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

METHODS

A total of 120 patients posted for day care laparoscopic cholecystectomy were included in the study and were randomized into three groups. Group A (Cases)-receiving the carbohydrate-rich drink before surgery (CHO), group B (placebo)-receiving the placebo drink before surgery and group C (controls)-fasting from midnight before surgery. Postoperative nausea and vomiting and visual analogue score for pain were noted and analyzed for 24 h.

RESULTS

Mean score of nausea in 0-4 h in group A was significantly lower as compared to group B and group C (p = 0.001). Difference in mean score of nausea in 4-12 and 12-24 h between groups was not significant (p = 0.066), (p = 0.257). Mean score of vomiting in 0-4 and 4-12 h in group A was significantly less than that of group B and group C (p = 0.004), (p = 0.001). Mean score of pain in group A was significantly less when compared to group B and group C in 0-4 h (p = 0.001) and 4-12 h (0.005).

CONCLUSION

Perioperative consumption of a carbohydrate-rich drink can minimize postoperative nausea, vomiting and pain in patients undergoing outpatient cholecystectomy. Consumption of carbohydrate drinks up to 2 h prior to surgery is not associated with additional complications.

Ambulatory management of gastrointestinal emergencies: what are the current literature data?

INTRODUCTION

Ambulatory management is a modality of care defined in France by a hospitalization of less than 12h without an overnight stay. Currently, few data are available on its role in the management of gastrointestinal emergencies, such as appendectomy for acute appendicitis, cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis or emergency proctologic surgery. The aim of this systematic review was to study the published data regarding the feasibility of ambulatory management of emergency visceral surgery and to enquire about the possibilities of further development of this form of management.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A literature search was conducted from the PubMed(®) databank taking into account all published data up to July 2013.

RESULTS

For acute appendicitis, the success rate of short-stay hospitalization was 72% with unplanned read-mission rates ranging from 0 to 53%, a rate of unscheduled consultations ranging from 0 to 11%, and unplanned inpatient hospitalization rates ranging from 0% to 5%. For acute cholecystitis and proctology, there are few published data.

CONCLUSION

Ambulatory management has been sparingly studied in the setting of gastrointestinal surgical emergencies. However, there is probably a place for development of this form of management.

Patient-centered outcomes after laparoscopic cholecystectomy

BACKGROUND

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is the second most common general surgical operation performed in the United States, yet little has been reported on patient-centered outcomes.

METHODS

We prospectively followed 100 patients for 2 years as part of an institutional review board-approved study. The Surgical Outcomes Measurement System (SOMS) was used to quantify quality-of-life (QoL) values at various time points postoperatively.

RESULTS

Maximum pain was reported at 24 h (5.5 ± 2.2), and decreased to preoperative levels at 7 days (1.2 ± 2.3 vs. 2.0 ± 1.6, P = 0.096). Bowel function improved from before the operation to 3 weeks after surgery (10.7 ± 3.8 vs. 12.0 ± 3.2, P < 0.05), but then regressed to preoperative levels. Physical function worsened from before surgery (31.7 ± 6.2) to 1 week (27.5 ± 5.9, P < 0.0001), but surpassed preoperative levels at 3 weeks (33.5 ± 3.4, P < 0.01). Return to the activities of daily living occurred at 6.3 ± 4.7 days and work at 11.1 ± 9.0 days. Fatigue increased from before surgery (15.8 ± 6.2) to week 1 (20.7 ± 6.6, P < 0.0001) before improving at week 3 (14.0 ± 5.8, P < 0.01). Forty-four patients contacted the health care team 61 times before their 3 weeks appointment, most commonly for wound issues (26.2%), pain (24.6%), and gastrointestinal issues (24.6%). Seventy-two percent reported that the procedure had no negative effect on cosmesis at 6 months. Satisfaction with the procedure was high, averaging 9.52 out of 11.

CONCLUSIONS

QoL is significantly affected in the 24 h after LC but returns to baseline at week 3. Cosmesis and overall satisfaction are high, and QoL improvements are maintained in the long term except for bowel function, which regresses to preoperative levels of impairment. Analysis of patient-initiated contacts after LC may provide feedback on discharge counseling to increase patient satisfaction.

[Not Available]

BACKGROUND:

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is the most commonly performed minimal invasive surgery. However, practice of its use as an ambulatory surgery in our hospital settings is uncommon.

OBJECTIVE:

To evaluate safety and cost effectiveness of LC as an ambulatory day care surgery.

STUDY DESIGN:

Quasiexperimental.

SETTING:

Department of surgery, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Patients with uncomplicated symptomatic gallstones were selected for Ambulatory LC. They were admitted electively on the same day and operated on in the morning hours and discharged after a check by the surgeon 6–8 hrs later.

RESULTS:

Of fifty (n = 50) patients selected for ambulatory LC, 92% were discharged successfully after 6–8 hrs observation. No significant perioperative complications were noted. Unplanned admission and readmission rate was 8 and 2%, respectively. Cost saving for the daycare surgery was Rs. 6,200, Rs. 13,300, and Rs.22,800 per patient as compared to in patient general, semiprivate, and private ward package, respectively.

CONCLUSION:

Practice ambulatory LC is safe and cost-effective in selected patients with uncomplicated symptomatic gallstones.

Randomised Controlled Trial of Day-Case Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy vs Routine Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

Many randomised controlled trials conducted worldwide favours for day-case laparoscopic cholecystectomy, but questions have been raised regarding its application in developing country like ours. Hence, considering it a high time to review current practices, we conducted this trial to report our experience with day-case laparoscopic cholecystectomy and to access its feasibility and safety in our set-up. Data from 65 patients with symptomatic gallstone were randomised to perform laparoscopic cholecystectomy either as day-case procedure or as routine (conventional) procedure. Complication, quality of life, satisfaction, post-operative nausea and vomiting and pain were assessed. Ninety-seven per cent (31/32) of day-case laparoscopic cholecystectomy patients were successfully discharged with mean duration of 8.9 ± 4.54 h, which was 3.33 ± 1.45 days (72.92 ± 34.8 h) in routine (conventional) laparoscopic cholecystectomy group. There was no significant difference in complication, quality of life, satisfaction, post-operative nausea and vomiting and pain between the two groups. Day-case laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a safe, feasible and beneficial procedure in our set-up. Patient acceptance in terms of quality of life and satisfaction was similar to that of routine laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Ambulatory laparoscopic cholecystectomy: An audit of day case vs overnight surgery at a community hospital in Japan

AIM: To evaluate the applicability and safety of ambulatory laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) and to compare day case and overnight stay LC.

METHODS: Data were collected retrospectively and consecutively for day case and overnight stay LC patients from July 1, 2009 to April 30, 2011. Outcomes were analyzed for patient demographics, operation time, blood loss during operation and frequency and reasons for unexpected or prolonged hospitalization in each group.

RESULTS: There was no hospital mortality and no patient was readmitted with serious morbidity after discharge. 50 patients received a day case LC and 19 had an overnight stay LC. There was a significant difference in age between both groups (P < 0.02). There were no significant differences between the day case LC performed (n = 41) and failed (n = 9) groups and between the day case LC performed and the one night stay LC (n = 12) groups. There was a significant difference in age between the one night stay and more nights stay LC groups (P < 0.05). Thus, elderly patients showed a tendency to like to stay in hospital rather than being a day case. The proportion of unexpected or prolonged hospitalization was not significantly different between the day case and overnight stay LC groups, when the patient’s request was excluded.

CONCLUSION: Day case LC can be performed with a low rate of complications. In overnight stay patients, there are many who could be performed safely as a day case. Moreover, we need to take special care to treat elderly patients.

Treatment of common bile duct stones in Sweden 1989-2006: an observational nationwide study of a paradigm shift

BACKGROUND

The preferred strategies for treatment of common bile duct stones have changed from choledochotomy with cholecystectomy to sphincterotomy with or without cholecystectomy. The aim of the present study was to compare the effectiveness of these treatment strategies on a nationwide level in Sweden.

METHODS

All patients with hospital care for benign biliary diagnoses 1988-2006 were identified in Swedish registers. Patients with common bile duct stones and a first admission with choledochotomy and or endoscopic sphincterotomy from 1989 through 2006 comprised the study group. These patients were analyzed with respect to readmission for biliary diagnoses and acute pancreatitis.

RESULTS

Incidence of open and laparoscopic choledochotomy decreased from 19.4 to 5.2, whereas endoscopic sphincterotomy increased from 5.1 to 26.1 per 100,000 inhabitants per year, respectively. Among patients treated for common bile duct stones (n = 26,815), 60.0 % underwent cholecystectomy during the first hospital admission in 1989-1994, compared to 30.1 % in 2001-2006. The treatment strategy that included endoscopic sphincterotomy was associated with more readmissions for biliary diagnoses and increased risk for acute pancreatitis than the treatment strategy with choledochotomy. However, patients treated with endoscopic sphincterotomy and concurrent cholecystectomy at the index admission had the lowest risk of readmission.

CONCLUSIONS

Cholecystectomy has been increasingly separated from treatment of bile duct stones, and endoscopic sphincterotomy has superseded choledochotomy as a first alternative for bile duct clearance in Sweden. In patients fit for surgery, clearance of the common bile duct can be combined with cholecystectomy, as it probably reduces the need for biliary related readmissions.

Spinal versus general anesthesia for day-case laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a prospective randomized study

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to compare the surgical outcome of day-case laparoscopic cholecystectomy (DCLC) performed with the patient under spinal anesthesia with that performed with the patients under general anesthesia in the management of symptomatic uncomplicated gallstone disease.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

One hundred eighty patients were prospectively randomized to either the spinal anesthesia DCLC group (SA-DCLC group) or the general anesthesia DCLC group (GA-DCLC group). Intraoperative events related to spinal anesthesia, postoperative complications, and pain scores were recorded. The incidences of both overnight stay and readmissions were also recorded. Patient satisfaction values as to the anesthetic technique and same-day discharge were assessed by direct questionnaire at the end of the first postoperative week.

RESULTS

In both groups, all procedures were completed laparoscopically. In the SA-DCLC group, there were 4 (4.4%) anesthetic conversions due to intolerable right shoulder pain, and those 4 patients were excluded from further analysis. In the SA-DCLC group, all patients were discharged on the same day. Overnight stay was required in 8 patients (8.9%) in the GA-DCLC group (P<.001). The cause of overnight stay was nausea and vomiting in 4 patients (4.4%), inadequate pain control in 3 patients (3.3%), and unexplained hypotension in 1 patient (1.1%). Readmission was required in 1 patient (1.1%) in the GA-DCLC group. The difference in patient satisfaction scores with regard to both anesthetic technique and same-day discharge was not statistically significant between the two groups studied.

CONCLUSIONS

DCLC performed with the patient under spinal anesthesia is feasible and safe and is associated with less postoperative pain and lower incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting and therefore a lower incidence of overnight stay compared with that performed with the patient under general anesthesia.

Single-Incision Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy for Day Surgery Procedure: Are We Prepared?

Single-incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS) for cholecystectomy is a well-established procedure and represents the next step in developing the concept of fast track surgery. This report describes our experience with SILS cholecystectomy in patients that stay overnight. Between February 2009 and July 2010, patients referred for cholecystectomy to the day surgery unit who agreed to undergo SILS were included in a prospective study. All operations were performed by the same surgical team specially trained in this type of surgery and the same operative technique was used in all cases. Postoperative pain and nausea were assessed using a 10-cm visual analogue scale on a self-completion questionnaire on the night of operation and the morning of discharge. A total of 107 patients (58% women, mean age 56 years) with symptomatic gallstones were included in the study. SILS was successfully performed in all patients and no patient required conversion to an open procedure. There were no significant differences in the median visual analogue scale for postoperative pain and nausea between the night of surgery and the next morning. The mean length of hospital stay was 23 hours, and 98 per cent of patients were satisfied with the results of surgery and would be willing to undergo the same procedure again. SILS cholecystectomy is a valid alternative to standard laparoscopic cholecystectomy as an outpatient surgery or overnight stay procedure. According to these promising results, SILS cholecystectomy could be included in a major ambulatory surgery program.

Referral pathways of patients with gallstones: a potential source of financial waste in the U.K. National Health Service?

PURPOSE

Gallstone-related illnesses are one of the most common reasons for emergency hospital admissions, often with serious complications. Standard treatment of uncomplicated gallstone-disease is by laparoscopic cholecystectomy, which can be safely and cost-effectively performed during a short hospital stay or as day-case. This paper aims to evaluate the referral pattern of patients with gallstones, which treatment is given and whether patients admitted as emergency could have benefited from earlier elective referral. The management of these patients is examined in the context of payment by results to determine cost and potential savings.

DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH

The approach takens was prospective clinical audit and patient questionnaire in a district general hospital. Cost comparisons were made using secondary care income (NHS tariff) and estimated cost of hospitalisation, investigations and treatment.

FINDINGS

Between May and July 2007, 114 patients were admitted with symptomatic gallstones, 62 (54.4 per cent) were emergencies. Cholecystectomy was performed in all 52 elective patients and performed or planned for 59/62 (95.2 per cent) emergencies. A total 17/62 emergencies (27.4 per cent) presented with complications of gallstones. 38/62 (61.3 per cent) had similar symptoms before, with 21/38 (55.3 per cent) diagnosed in primary care or by another hospital department. 11 (52.4 per cent) of these had not been referred for a surgical opinion; taking account of age, co-morbidity and data acquired for elective admissions, the cost of their treatment could have been reduced by at least pounds 16,194.

ORIGINALITY/VALUE

A large proportion of patients admitted with symptomatic biliary disease could have been referred earlier and electively. Such referral practice could improve the quality of care and reduce cost for the NHS both in primary and secondary care.

An audit of ambulatory laparoscopic cholecystectomy in a Singapore institution: are we ready for day-case laparoscopic cholecystectomy?

BACKGROUND

Day-Case laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is practiced in many countries. However, this has yet to be widely accepted in Singapore. This study aims to determine the potential success rate of day-case LC in our institution.

PATIENT AND METHODS

We retrospectively assessed the proportion of our Ambulatory Surgery 23 hour (AS23) LC patients that met discharge criteria. Our proposed same-day discharge criteria include minimal pain, ability to tolerate feeds, ambulate independently and void spontaneously after 6-8 hours of monitoring.

RESULTS

From January 2005 to December 2006, of 405 patients listed for elective LC, 84% of patients were admitted to our AS23 ward. Patients with previous biliary sepsis or pancreatitis or who need laparoscopic common bile duct exploration (LCBDE) were included. The other 66 were admitted as inpatient. Forty-one of them were admitted due to conversion. A history of cholecystitis or cholangitis was a significant predictor of conversion to open surgery (OR=5.73 and 5.74 respectively, p<0.001). Of the 339 patients, 66% of them fulfilled all four criteria within eight hours of monitoring. Therefore, based on an intention-to-treat analysis, 51.2% fulfilled all four criteria and could potentially be discharged the same day. No predictor for failure was identified, including presence of co-morbidities, duration of operation, surgeon's grade and additional procedures like LCBDE.

CONCLUSION

Using our current inclusion criteria, we projected a success rate of at least 50% with the implementation of day-case LC. With the attendant advantages of cost savings and reduced resource utilization, it is therefore worthwhile to start it in Singapore.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy in a small rural hospital in Kashmir Valley, India

This study evaluates the feasibility of performing laparoscopic cholecystectomy in order to reduce the expenditure in a 28-bed sub-district hospital in Kashmir, India. We report on a prospective clinical trail involving patients with gall bladder disease reported to the hospital from June 2005 till May 2007.

Trends in colorectal day case surgery in NHS Trusts between 1998 and 2005

OBJECTIVE

Day case surgery is safe and offers potential benefits to both patients and healthcare providers. This study aimed to describe national changes in colorectal day case workload between 1998 and 2005.

METHODS

Admission data relating to Office of Population Censuses and Surveys Classification of Surgical Operations and Procedures (4th revision) (OPCS-4) coloproctology operation codes were analysed using the Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) database. Day case rates (DCRs) were calculated as the proportion of elective cases performed on an ambulatory basis.

RESULTS

In total, 3 119 058 colorectal admissions were recorded on the HES database between 1998 and 2005; 1 891 474 (61%) of these were for lower gastrointestinal endoscopies. Emergency cases accounted for 527 665 (17%), elective inpatient cases for 406 368 (13%) and elective day cases for 293 551 (9%) admissions. Throughout the study period the DCRs for five commonly performed elective colorectal procedures were: 0.70 for anal lesion excisions (OPCS-4 codes: H48.1, H48.2 and H48.3); 0.16 for haemorrhoidectomy (OPCS-4 code: H51.1); 0.63 for anal fissure procedures (OPCS-4 codes: H56.2 and H56.4); 0.39 for elective procedures for anal fistula (OPCS-4 codes: H55.1, H55.2, H55.3 and H55.4); 0.37 for elective pilonidal surgery (OPCS-4 codes: H59 and H60.2). Two emergency operations, drainage of perianal and pilonidal abscesses (OPCS-4 codes: H58.2 and H60.3 respectively), were identified as operations potentially amenable to day surgery. Over the seven study years, an annual average of 8559 (+/-SD 307) admissions were coded to drainage of a perianal abscess and 4676 (+/-SD 478) admissions to drainage of pilonidal abscess. The average annual bed usage associated with these procedures was 18 831 (+/-SD 718) and 7623 (+/-SD 436) bed days respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Colorectal day case surgery is currently under-exploited in the NHS. By lifting some of the barriers to day case surgery significant resource savings may be possible.

Resumption of daily physical activity after day-case laparoscopic cholecystectomy

BACKGROUND

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy has been proven to be safe and feasible as a day-case procedure. Few studies investigated postoperative activity resumption. The goal of this study was to objectively assess daily physical activity after day-case laparoscopic cholecystectomy and evaluate the effect of encouragement of patients.

METHODS

This prospective controlled study measured daily physical activity in an unselected patient population undergoing day-case laparoscopic cholecystectomy by using an accelerometer for 1 week before surgery to 1 week after. First, a control group received standard care. Subsequently, an intervention group was encouraged to swift resumption of daily physical activity by means of standardized advice combined with individualized activity goals. Outcome measures were activity scores, visual analogue scores (VAS) for pain and nausea and subjective factors limiting activity.

RESULTS

Sixty-four patients completed the study (n = 28 in the control group, n = 36 in the intervention group). In the control group, 36% of the patients reached their preoperative activity level after 1 week, as compared to 50% in the intervention group (p = 0.19). Resumption of daily physical activity during the first postoperative week in the intervention group was not significantly different from the control group [repeated measures analysis of variance (MANOVA), p = 0.05]. However, in contrast with men, women in the intervention group did show a faster recovery of daily physical activity as compared to the control group (MANOVA, p = 0.02). Although there was no significant difference in postoperative VAS scores for pain and nausea between both groups, patients in the intervention group experienced pain less often as a limiting factor (p = 0.006).

CONCLUSION

Recovery of daily physical activity exceeded 1 week in most patients undergoing day-case laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The use of an accelerometer and standardized encouragement accelerated recovery in women.

Outpatient laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a prospective study of 250 patients

BACKGROUND

Patient selection, postoperative monitoring and discharge criteria after outpatient laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) are not clearly defined.

METHODS

Patients scheduled for elective LC who fulfilled socioeconomic requirements for ambulatory surgery were enrolled in an open prospective study. Choledocholithiasis, ASA IV and unstable ASA III patients were excluded. Discharge was allowed after at least 6 hours if patients were conscious, asymptomatic, ambulant, with normal vital signs, no evidence of bleeding, spontaneous micturition and tolerating soft diet.

RESULTS

Of the 250 patients included, 10.4% were admitted due to intraoperative causes. Of the remaining, 92% were discharged on the same day and 8.0% were admitted for pain control or postoperative anxiety/discomfort. Neither mortality or major complications were observed. Ninety-five percent of patients declared themselves satisfied. History of jaundice, common bile duct dilation on ultrasound, microlithiasis, abnormal preoperative alkaline phosphatase levels and surgeon's experience were independent predictors of admission due to intraoperative causes. No predictor of postoperative admission was identified. Cost analysis showed a benefit for ambulatory LC compared to overnight stay.

CONCLUSION

Outpatient LC is feasible and safe with high patient satisfaction even with broad selection criteria. Improvements may be achieved in postoperative pain management.

Male gender is not a risk factor for the outcome of laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a single surgeon experience

BACKGROUND/AIM

Previous studies regarding the outcome of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) in men have reported inconsistent findings. We conducted this prospective study to test the hypothesis that the outcome of LC is worse in men than women.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Between 1997 and 2002, a total of 391 consecutive LCs were performed by a single surgeon at King Fahd Hospital of the University. We collected and analyzed data including age, gender, body mass index (kg/m(2)), the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) class, mode of admission (elective or emergency), indication for LC (chronic or acute cholecystitis [AC]), comorbid disease, previous abdominal surgery, conversion to open cholecystectomy, complications, operation time, and length of postoperative hospital stay.

RESULTS

Bivariate analysis showed that both genders were matched for age, ASA class and mode of admission. The incidences of AC (P = 0.003) and comorbid disease (P = 0.031) were significantly higher in men. Women were significantly more obese than men (P < 0.001) and had a higher incidence of previous abdominal surgery (P = 0.017). There were no statistical differences between genders with regard to rates of conversion (P = 0.372) and complications (P = 0.647) and operation time (P = 0.063). The postoperative stay was significantly longer in men than women (P = 0.001). Logistic regression analysis showed that male gender was not an independent predictor of conversion (Odds ratio [OR] = 0.37 and P = 0.43) or complications (OR = 0.42, P = 0.42). Linear regression analysis showed that male gender was not an independent predictor of the operation time, but was associated with a longer postoperative stay (P = 0.02).

CONCLUSION

Male gender is not an independent risk factor for satisfactory outcome of LC in the experience of a single surgeon.