Lung function after open versus laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Postoperative lung function and gas exchange were studied in 36 patients after cholecystectomy. Twenty-four of the patients underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy while the remaining twelve were operated with open technique. Before surgery all patients had normal ventilatory volumes (forced vital capacity, FVC and forced expired volume in 1 s, FEV₁) and normal gas exchange. Two hours postoperativley FVC was reduced to 64±16% (P<0.05) of the preoperative level in the laparoscopic group and to 45±23% (P<0.05) after open cholecystecomy. On the first postoperative day FVC was virtually normal in the laparoscopic patients (77±17% of preoperative level, NS), whereas the open surgery patients still had a decreased FVC (56±13% of preoperative, P<0.05). FEV₁ in the postoperative period followed the same course as FVC. Gas exchange was significantly impaired in the early postoperative period in all patients but no difference between the two groups was found. Two hours postoperatively Pao₂ was reduced to 85% (P<0.05) of preoperative value and Paco₂ had increased by 0.5 kPa (p<0.05). The alveolo-arterial oxygen tension difference (PA-ao₂) had increased by approximately 45% to a mean of 3.7 kPa (P<0.05). On the first postoperative day gas exchange was still significantly impaired in the open surgery patients. Atelectasis detected by computed X-ray tomography of the lungs were found in both groups. However, the amount of atelectasis tended to be smaller in the laparoscopic group than in the open surgery patients. In summary, cholecystectomy irrespective of whether it was performed by open or laparoscopic technique was followed by deterioration in ventilatory function and gas exchange. However, the magnitude of this impairment was less pronounced in laparoscopic cholecystectomy patients than in the open surgery patients which may suggest that this minimal invasive procedure is favourable with respect to postoperative lung function.     

Postoperative pulmonary function after laparoscopic and open cholecystectomy

In this prospective, randomized study, we compared 42 patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy and 40 undergoing open cholecystectomy to determine if laparoscopic cholecystectomy results in less respiratory impairment and fewer respiratory complications. Pulmonary function tests, arterial blood-gas analysis and chest radiographs were obtained in both groups before operation and on the second day after operation. Postoperative pain scores and analgesic requirements were also recorded. After operation, a significant reduction in total lung capacity, functional residual capacity (FRC), forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC) and mid-expiratory flow (FEF25-75%) occurred after both laparoscopic and open cholecystectomy. The reductions in FRC, FEV1, FVC and FEF25-75% were smaller after laparoscopic (7%, 22%, 19% and 23%, respectively) than after open (21%, 38%, 32% and 34%, respectively) cholecystectomy. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy was also associated with a significantly lower incidence (28.6% vs 62.5%) and less severe atelectasis, better oxygenation and reduced postoperative pain and analgesia use compared with open cholecystectomy. We conclude that postoperative pulmonary function was impaired less after laparoscopic than after open cholecystectomy.      

Patient-controlled analgesia after laparoscopic and open cholecystectomy

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) offers advantages over open cholecystectomy (OC) of more rapid patient recovery. The comparative amount of pain that patients must endure after each of these procedures is not clear. We retrospectively analysed the use of patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) of an unselected sample of patients having either LC or OC procedures to quantitate morphine use, as well as pain and sedation scores in the post-operative period. The hospital charts, anaesthetic records and the PCA records of 40 patients having either LC (n = 19) or OC (n = 21) were analysed retrospectively. The use of PCA morphine was standardized and consisted of a loading dose of 5 mg, bolus doses of 1.5 mg and a lockout period of five minutes. By the morning of postoperative day one, OC patients had used 38.0 ± 11.7 (mean ± SD) mg compared with 23.7 ± 15.3 mg in LC patients (P < 0.05). The rates of PCA morphine use in the first two postoperative hours were 4.66 ± 2.6 mg· hr^?1 and 7.04 ±2.7 mg · hr^?1 for LC and OC patients, respectively (P < 0.05). The rates of morphine use averaged over the day of surgery were 1.28 ± 0.8 mg · hr^?1 and 2.33 ± 0.8 mg · hr^?1 for LC and OC patients (P < 0.05). Despite higher PCA morphine use in OC patients, their pain scores were higher while their sedation scores were comparable. These data suggest that laparoscopic cholecystectomy is associated with less pain than open cholecystectomy in the day after surgery.     

Incisional hernias after laparoscopic vs open cholecystectomy

Background: The aim of this study was retrospectively to compare the incidence of incisional hernia formation at trocar sites in laparoscopic cholecystectomy with that after conventional open cholecystectomy. Methods: In all, 271 patients with cholelithiasis underwent either laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC group, n= 142) or open cholecystectomy (OC group, n= 129). In the OC group, the surgical approach was to use a right subcostal incision in 20.2%, right transrectal laparotomy in 73.6%, and midlaparotomy in 6.2%. Laparotomy closure was performed by continuous absorbable suture for the peritoneum and discontinuous absorbable stitches for muscle and fascia. Laparoscopic access was achieved by use of four trocars (two 10 mm and two 5 mm). Umbilical port closure was performed by suture of fascia using discontinuous stitches. Closure of the remaining ports was performed by suture of the skin. Results: Both patient groups were statistically similar with respect to general risk factors. Follow-up was performed in 84 (65.1%) OC and 123 (86.6%) LC patients and ranged from 2 to 10 years (mean, 8 years) and 1 to 5 years (mean, 3 years) respectively. Five (5.9%) OC and two (1.6%) LC patients developed incisional hernias, although the difference between groups was not significant. All hernias in OC patients appeared after transrectal laparotomy. The LC hernias appeared at the umbilical port, and one of the patients developed an additional xiphoides port-associated hernia. Conclusions: The laparoscopic technique showed a lower (although not significantly) incidence of incisional hernias than the open procedure. Received: 16 July 1998/Accepted: 27 November 1998     

Oxidative stress markers after laparoscopic and open cholecystectomy

BACKGROUND: Surgical injury is associated with oxidative stress, often due to ischemia/reperfusion injury. During laparoscopy, increased intra-abdominal pressure caused by pneumoperitoneum may cause splanchnic ischemia followed by reperfusion due to deflation. We measured several markers of oxidative stress in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) versus open cholecystectomy (OC) to find if these surgical procedures result in different patterns of oxidative stress. METHODS: This prospective study enrolled 43 patients with symptomatic cholelithiasis, of whom 21 underwent open, and 22 laparoscopic, cholecystectomy. Twenty healthy adults comprised the control group. Total antioxidant status (TAS), superoxide dismutase (SOD), endogenous peroxide level (POX), oxidized low density lipoprotein (oLDL) autoantibodies (oLAb), and neopterin were measured preoperatively and on postoperative days 1, 3, and 7. RESULTS: POX values decreased significantly on postoperative day 1 in the OC (P<0.01), but not in the LC, group. On postoperative day 7, POX values were higher than preoperatively in both groups (P<0.01) with no difference between the LC and OC groups. Significant postoperative elevations of oLAb and neopterin levels were observed only on postoperative day 7 in the OC group. There were no changes of oLAb and neopterin levels in the LC group. TAS and SOD levels did not change after either LC or OC. CONCLUSION: Cholecystectomy, either open or laparoscopic, caused only moderate oxidative stress. Open cholecystectomy caused changes of oLAb and neopterin, suggesting more severe oxidative stress, and a possible role of reactive oxygen species in the healing of the laparotomic wound.     

Systemic acute-phase response after laparoscopic and open cholecystectomy

BACKGROUND: Cytokines are the main mediators of inflammation and the response to trauma. The purpose of this study was to compare variations in cytokine levels following laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) and mini-laparotomy cholecystectomy (OC), since these two types of operations were considered to be a unique model for examining the role of local tissue injury in postoperative inflammatory reactions. METHODS: A total of 40 patients were studied. Eighteen of them underwent LC; the remaining 22 were operated on using the open technique. Systemic concentrations of interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-1 (IL-1), tumor necrosis factor (TNF), and C-reactive protein (CRP) were measured before and after the operation. In addition, we compared pre- and postoperative white blood cell (WBC) counts, postoperative body temperature, and length of postoperative hospitalization. RESULTS: There was no difference between the two groups in IL-1 and TNF response. The rise in plasma IL-6 levels (18.86 +/- 9.61 vs 5.00 +/- 0.0 pg/ml, p < 0.0001) and CRP (8.40 +/- 5.81 vs 1.43 +/- 1.30 mg/dl, p < 0.001) were more marked after open cholecystectomy than after the laparoscopic procedure. There was no correlation between serum CRP concentrations and the other postoperative parameters. CONCLUSION: The magnitude of the acute-phase response was less pronounced following laparoscopic cholecystectomy, consistent with a reduction in tissue trauma.     

Systemic immune response after laparoscopic and open cholecystectomy

The laparoscopic approach is thought to reduce the postoperative immunologic and metabolic effects of an open operation. This study was designed with the aim of comparing the systemic immune response after laparoscopic and open cholecystectomy. Seventeen patients with gallbladder stones were assigned to undergo either a laparoscopic (n = 9) or open (n = 8) approach. The postoperative immune response was assessed by measuring the serum levels of soluble Fas (sFas), soluble L-selectin (sL-selectin), and transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGFbeta1) preoperatively and 2 hours, 1 day, and 2 days postoperatively. Both approaches resulted in a significant decrease in sFas levels 1 and 2 days postoperatively. The open approach evoked a transient increase in sL-selectin levels 2 hours postoperatively. Moreover, the open approach resulted in a persistent, significant increase in TGFbeta1 levels postoperatively. Comparison of open versus laparoscopic cholecystectomy has shown no significant difference in sFas level and a statistically significant increase of sL-selectin (within 2 hours) and TGFbeta levels after open surgery. Although both laparoscopic and open cholecystectomy evoked an alteration of the systemic immune response, our data showed that such immune response may be less after the laparoscopic approach.     

Multivariate comparison of complications after laparoscopic cholecystectomy and open cholecystectomy.

OBJECTIVE: To answer the question whether laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) or open cholecystectomy (OC) is safer in terms of complications, the authors evaluated complications relating to 1440 cholecystectomies performed by the same surgeons in a retrospective study. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: A definite pronouncement on whether LC truly is superior to OC is not possible because prospective trials are burdened with problems of recruitment. METHODS: After the introduction of LC at the authors' institution in April 1991 and until October 1993, 94.6% (700/740) of all patients admitted for operation because of symptomatic gallstone disease could be treated laparoscopically. The clinical records of the last 700 patients who underwent OC before the introduction of LC were re-evaluated with regard to both overall complications and the grade of complication (severity grade 1-4). A comparison of the incidence of complications relating to the two surgical methods, age, sex, common bile duct stones, acute cholecystitis, concomitant illness, Apache score, and length of operation was calculated by multivariate analysis using the logistic regression model. RESULTS: The total rate of complications in the OC group was 7.7%, with five postoperative deaths, compared with 1.9% and one postoperative death in the LC group. Multivariate analysis for OC revealed that both old age (p = 0.014) and the existence of common bile duct stones (p = 0.02) had independent prognostic influences in increasing the overall complication rate, whereas only old age (p = 0.019) influenced the overall complication rate after LC. Multivariate analysis of all cholecystectomies (n = 1440) showed that the overall complication rate was influenced independently by OC as a detrimental factor. CONCLUSIONS: As this analysis emphasizes, LC can be performed safely with an overall complication rate that is distinctly lower than that of OC. For selective surgery, LC is undoubtedly superior to OC and can probably be seen as a new "gold standard" for cholecystectomies.     

腹腔镜胆囊切除围手术期创伤应激、酸碱平衡和能量代谢

目的　研究腹腔镜胆囊切除术 (LC)围手术期创伤应激激素水平、C反应蛋白和机体能量代谢与开腹胆囊切除术 (OC)的差异。　方法　慢性结石性胆囊炎患者 2 6例 (LC组 14例 ,OC组 12例 ) ,于术前 1d、术后 1d和 3d晨分别检测血C 反应蛋白 (CRP)、生长激素、皮质醇和胰岛素。同时测定静息能量消耗 (REE)和呼吸商 (RQ)。　结果　胰岛素在OC患者术后第 3天与术前比较有明显下降。生长激素、C 反应蛋白和皮质醇上升在OC术后明显高于LC(P <0 0 5 )。 2组患者静息能量消耗(REE)术后较术前显著增加 ,而术后OC患者REE明显高于LC患者 (P <0 0 5 )。 2组患者呼吸商(RQ)术后比较术前均有显著下降。LC组动脉血氧分压与氧饱和度术后 1d明显下降 ,第 3天恢复。LC组术后 3dBE明显高于OC组。　结论　腹腔镜手术创伤小 ,应激水平低 ,对患者代谢影响小 ,有益于机体应激激素、氮平衡和能量代谢的恢复。气腹可以引起体内酸血症和肺血灌流不足。     

腹腔镜胆囊切除术与开腹胆囊切除术的比较

按顺序抽取腹腔镜胆囊切除术(LC)病历110份，开腹胆囊切除术(OC)病历136份，笔者就两组病例的手术时间、切口长度、出血量及住院天数等资料进行回顾性分析和比较，结果显示：LC组在手术时间、切口长度、出血量及住院天数均短于或少于OC组。提示：LC优于OC，值得在基层推广与普及。     

腹腔镜与开腹胆囊切除胃肠压力变化的临床研究

目的 :从胃肠道压力变化的角度探讨腹腔镜与开腹胆囊切除对胃肠运动功能的影响。方法 :腹腔镜胆囊切除 30例 (男 6例 ,女 2 4例 ,4 7± 4岁 ) ,开腹胆囊切除 30例 (男 9例 ,女 2 1例 ,4 7± 7岁 ) ,分别于手术前 1d行胃电图描记 ,记录术后 3、2 4、4 8、72h胃电图及监测胃窦、十二指肠和空肠压力 (移行性运动复合波 ,MMCⅢ )。结果 :(1)手术前腹腔镜和开腹胆囊切除患者胃电频率差异无显著性 (P >0 .0 5 ) ;(2 )腹腔镜胆囊切除组术后 3、2 4h正常波所占百分比低于术前 ,但差异无显著性 (P >0 .0 5 ) ,术后 4 8h恢复正常 ;(3)开腹胆囊切除组术后起 3h正常波所占百分比明显低于术前 ,差异有显著性 (P <0 .0 1) ,术后 2 4、4 8h正常波的百分比与术前差异无显著性 ,术后 72h恢复正常 ;(4) 2组患者术后胃窦、十二指肠及空肠压力低于健康人群 (P<0 .0 5 ) ;(5 ) 2组胃窦部收缩压力及收缩曲线下面积术后第 1、2、3d较术后 3h明显升高 (P <0 .0 5 ) ,且随时间延长有逐渐增大的趋势 ,腹腔镜组术后 72h恢复正常 ,十二指肠及空肠术后 3d内无明显变化 ;(6 ) 2组间胃电频率 ,胃窦部、十二指肠及空肠压力变化差异无显著性 (P >0 .0 5 ) ,但显示有差别。结论 :腹腔镜与开腹胆囊切除术均可引起胃电频率及胃肠压力变化 ,开     

Comparison of the stress response after laparoscopic and open cholecystectomy

Background: We designed a prospective controlled animal study to compare the stress response induced after laparoscopic and open cholecystectomy. Methods: Twelve female pigs (20–25 kg body weight) were anesthetized with ketamine, pentobarbital, and fentanyl. The animals were randomized into the following four groups: control (C), pneumoperitoneum with CO₂ at 14–15 mmHg (P), laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC), and open cholecystectomy (OC). The average duration of the procedure in each group was 35 min. Results: Central venous pressure, mean arterial pressure, pulmonary capillary wedge pressure, and cardiac output were monitored. Measurements were recorded when animals were anesthetized (baseline), immediately before and after surgery, and thereafter every 30 min for a maximum of 3 h. White blood cell count (WBC) was determined from blood samples taken before and after 3 h of surgery. Ultrasound-guided liver biopsies were done preoperatively and after 3 h of surgery. Total RNA was isolated from the liver biopsy specimens. Steady-state mRNA levels of β-fibrinogen (β-fib), α 1-chymotrypsin inhibitor (α1-CTI), metallothionein (MT), heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70), and polyubiquitin (Ub) were detected by Northern blot/hybridization. There were no statistical differences in the hemodynamic parameters among the groups. The number of circulating neutrophils and monocytes decreased only after LC. Expression of Hsp70 was not induced after any surgical procedure, and the mRNA levels of Ub did not change after surgery. The expression of α1-CTI and β-fib (acute phase genes) were similarly increased after LC and OC. Steady-state mRNA levels of MT were slightly increased after P and LC but not after OC. Conclusion: These data indicate that there are no significant differences between LC and OC in terms of induction of the stress response. Received: 19 March 1999/Accepted: 2 July 1999/Online publication: 20 September 2000     

Lipid peroxidation and antioxidant state after laparoscopic and open cholecystectomy.

OBJECTIVE: To measure the amount of lipid peroxidation and erythrocyte antioxidation in patients undergoing laparoscopic and open cholecystectomy and healthy controls. DESIGN: Non-randomised study. SETTING: University hospital, Istanbul. SUBJECTS: 31 patients, of whom 14 underwent open and 17 laparoscopic cholecystectomy, and 15 healthy controls. INTERVENTIONS: Heparinised blood samples were taken from the patients immediately after operation and from the healthy controls. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Lipid peroxidation index as expressed by thiobarbituric-acid-reactive substances (TBARS) and components of the erythrocyte antioxidant defence system, namely reduced glutathione, reduced glutathione peroxidase (glutathione-Px) and CuZn superoxide dismutase (CuZn SOD) in patients undergoing open or laparoscopic cholecystectomy and healthy controls. RESULTS: All 4 variables were significantly higher in the cholecystectomy groups than in controls (p < 0.001), and laparoscopic cholecystectomy caused significantly less oxidative stress than the open operation (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Both types of cholecystectomy cause oxidative stress and lead to an adaptive antioxidant response in the body. However; both oxidative stress and the antioxidant response are more pronounced after traditional open cholecystectomy.     

Changes of CPK and CPK-MB levels after open and laparoscopic cholecystectomy

According to the World Health Organization, an increased ratio (more than 6%) of CPK-MB to total CPK may indicate the diagnosis of an acute infarction. But false elevation of CPK and CPK-MB levels after noncardiac operation, because of soft tissue damage, may confuse the clinicians in detecting myocardial infarction in early postoperative period. In order to determine the usefulness of CPK-MB to total CPK ratio in detecting myocardial infarction after open and laparoscopic cholecystectomy, we measured the serum levels of these markers in 135 patients, immediately after the operation and for the next five days. Patients were divided into four groups according to type of surgical procedure, as follows: Group I: a right oblique subcostal (Kocher's) incision was performed in 29 patients, Group II: a right paramedian transrectal incision was performed in 52 patients, Group III: a vertical high midline incision was performed in 17 patients, Group IV: laparoscopic cholecystectomy was performed in 37 patients. Although we found increased levels of CPK and CPK-MB after all the types of cholecystectomy, but in any case the CPK-MB exceeded more than 6% of total serum CPK. Furthermore we noticed that the patients who underwent open cholecystectomy with right oblique subcostal incision had the most elevated CPK and CPK-MB levels comparing to the other types of cholecystectomy. In conclusion, tissue damage after elective cholecystectomy is minimal and CPK-MB to total CPK ratio is a secure marker in detection of myocardial infarction during early post-operation period, after cholecystectomy.     

Pulmonary embolism following laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Laparoscopic abdominal surgery is considered a low-risk procedure for postoperative thromboembolic disease. We report two cases of pulmonary embolism following laparoscopic cholecystectomy, review the incidence of deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism in laparoscopic cholecystectomy, and suggest a specific prophylactic scheme for patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy. In spite of the low incidence of postoperative thromboembolic disease following minimally invasive procedures, the risk of pulmonary embolism must not be underestimated and its symptoms must not be underdiagnosed.     

Changes in breathing control and mechanics after laparoscopic vs open cholecystectomy

HYPOTHESIS: We hypothesized that there might be different effects on breathing control and respiratory mechanics after laparoscopic vs open cholecystectomy. DESIGN: Randomized clinical trial. SETTING: A general hospital in Greece. PATIENTS: Of 53 patients assessed for eligibility, 18 and 10 were randomly allocated to the laparoscopic and open cholecystectomy groups, respectively. These 28 patients had normal spirometry measurements and American Society of Anesthesiologists' class I physical status. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Measurements of breathing control and mechanics variables. Tidal volume, inspiratory time, breathing frequency, mean inspiratory flow, duty cycle, central respiratory drive, and mean inspiratory impedance were recorded before surgery on the second and eighth postoperative days. Airway resistance was recorded before surgery and on the eighth postoperative day, with all measurements being performed under no influence of analgesia. RESULTS: Two days after surgery, inspiratory time, breathing frequency, and central respiratory drive were significantly changed compared with preoperative values for both methods, whereas mean inspiratory impedance was significantly increased (P<.001) for the laparoscopic procedure. Eight days after surgery, changes were seen only for the laparoscopic group: duty cycle and airway resistance were significantly reduced (P = .01) and increased (P = .04), respectively, compared with preoperative data. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy seems to be associated with small but sustained alterations in the control of breathing and mechanics, which might have an unfavorable clinical impact on patients with compromised lung function.     

Comparison of long-term quality of life after laparoscopic and open cholecystectomy

Background: Although many studies have compared open and laparoscopic procedures, showing many advantages in favor of the laparoscopic technique during the early postoperative period, only a limited number of reports in the literature compare the two techniques during the later follow-up period with regard to quality of life. This study aimed to compare the effects of these two cholecystectomy techniques on the quality of life and clinical outcome of the patients during long-term follow-up evaluation. Methods: This study evaluated 200 patients who underwent cholecystectomy operations with either technique between 1993 and 1999 in our department. There were 100 patients in each group. Both groups were similar with respect to age, gender, body mass indexes, American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA) scores, and indications for surgery. The Medical Outcome Study Short Form 36 Health survey (SF-36), which includes 36 items, was used for evaluating the quality-of-life index. In addition to this, a system-specific instrument for gastrointestinal diseases was used to investigate clinical outcome. Results: The mean administration time for the questionnaire was 46.8 ± 18.7 months in the laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) group and 41.5 ± 16 months in the open cholecystectomy (OC) group. Statistically significant differences were noted in the scores for all eight SF = 36 health status domains in favor of laparospopic surgery. No statistically significant difference was found for abdominal pain, location of the pain, referral to a doctor for the pain, accompanying symptoms, relieving factors for the pain, distention, and dyspeptic complaints, usage of antacid therapy, weight changes, changes in bowel habit, need for a special diet, or sexual functions between the two groups. Conclusions: The gastrointestinal clinical symptoms were similar in the two groups during the long-term follow-up evaluation, but laparoscopic cholecystectomy was found to be significantly superior to the open technique with respect to the quality of life over the long term.     

Patient comorbidities increase postoperative resource utilization after laparoscopic and open cholecystectomy

Background

An understanding of the relationship between patient factors and healthcare resource utilization represents a major point of interest for optimizing clinical care and overall net savings, yet maintaining financial margins for provider revenues. This study aims to review resource utilization after cholecystectomy in order to characterize patient factors associated with increased postoperative ED visits and 30-day readmissions.

Methods

A total of 53,632 open and laparoscopic cholecystectomies were reviewed from July 2009 to December 2010 in a large private payer claims database. ICD-9 and CPT codes were available for each event, as well as basic demographics. Data regarding 30-day postoperative resource utilization metrics (emergency department visits and inpatient hospitalizations) were analyzed and stratified by key patient comorbidities. Differences between subgroups were evaluated with univariate and multivariable methods.

Results

Of the 53,632 patients studied, 71.2 % (38,171) were female and 28.8 % (15,461) male. Resource utilization within 30 days of surgery included: 6.6 % (3538) of patients with an ED visit and 7.7 % (4103) with an inpatient hospitalization. The most common comorbidities in the study population were: hypertension, hyperlipidemia, GERD/hiatal hernia, and diabetes mellitus. Patients with heart failure, cirrhosis, and a history of MI or acute ischemic heart disease all had a significant association with postoperative ED visit and the highest likelihood of inpatient hospitalization. Angina, diabetes, and hypertension similarly increased both ED utilization and inpatient readmissions to a lesser but still significant extent. Although patients with GERD/hiatal hernia and sleep apnea had a significant association with ED use, they did not have an increased likelihood of readmission.

Conclusions

Patient comorbidity indexing plays a major role in clinical risk stratification and resource utilization for cholecystectomy. These factors should be considered in bundled reimbursement packages and in the creation of preventive postoperative ambulatory strategies given their role in determining potential resource utilization in the postoperative setting.