Minicholecystectomy: a safe, cost-effective day surgery procedure

OBJECTIVE: To document effectiveness of minicholecystectomy as a safe, cost-effective day surgery procedure with rapid return to work. DESIGN: Review of medical records. SETTING: Small community hospital. PATIENTS: A total of 1207 patients who underwent minicholecystectomies from January 1, 1986, through December 31, 1997. INTERVENTION: Minicholecystectomy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Complications, length of hospital stay, cost, and time until return to work. RESULTS: Of the 1207 patients who underwent minicholecystectomy, 74% were admitted for day surgery, 88% of whom were discharged in less than 12 hours, 9.3% in 24 hours or less, and 1.7% in greater than 24 hours; 0.3% were readmitted within 2 weeks. The complication rate was 0.2%; 2 cases required laparotomy, with no common duct injuries. The cost of the procedure was S435; the average time it took working patients to return to work was 11.4 days. CONCLUSIONS: Minicholecystectomy is a safe, inexpensive day surgery method of cholecystectomy with minimal time off work after surgery.