Abstract: Changing trends in the management of gallstone disease.

Authors:

Johnston SM, Kidney S, Sweeney KJ, Zaki A, Tanner WA, Keane FV.

Institution:

Department of Surgery, Adelaide and Meath Incorporating National Children's Hospital Tallaght, Dublin 24, Ireland.

Source:

Surg Endosc. 2003 May;17(5):781-6.

Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Day case cholecystectomy is increasingly becoming a management option for elective cases while "same admission" cholecystectomy is now considered a favorable option in the treatment of acute cholecystitis. To assess the advent of these changes in our surgical practice, a retrospective analysis of our experience is presented. METHODS: All patients undergoing cholecystectomy between January 2000 and January 2001 were analyzed according to admission status, operation type, conversion rate, complications, and nonsurgical intervention. RESULTS: 156 patients underwent cholecystectomy and 152 charts were retrieved. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy was performed on 95% of patients with a conversion rate of 9%. Morbidity for the series was 12.5%, including one common bile duct injury (0.6%). Day case and acute cholecystectomy comprised 67% of our cholecystectomy practice. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that there is an increasing trend toward shortening the hospital stay of patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy. This does not appear to have had a deleterious effect on outcome.

Keywords:

General Surgery Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy