Minicholecystectomy

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Abstract
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 $435; 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.