Is there a safe advantage in performing outpatient laparoscopic cholecystectomy in children?

Background: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy, the standard procedure for removing the sick gallbladder of children, is generally performed leaving the child overnight in the hospital. Purpose: This study aimed to determine if there is a safe advantage in performing laparoscopic cholecystectomy as an outpatient procedure while setting the clinical parameters for those who will benefit from in-hospital stay. Methods: Thirty-five patients were selected for the study and were divided into group A, if the outpatient procedure was done, and group 13, if the child was left overnight in the hospital. Retrospective review of medical charts was performed. Statistical significance was defined as P < .05. Results: Group A consisted of 13 patients and group B of 22 patients. All patients in group A left the hospital the same day of surgery. Distribution by age and sex in the groups was not statistically different. Preoperative symptoms of vomiting were statistically significantly higher in group B. Presence of an associated medical condition was higher in the in-hospital patients. Concomitant procedures, blood loss estimates, and duration of surgery showed no statistical difference. No child was readmitted after release from the hospital. Pre-, intra-, and postoperative pain management were the same in all patients. Mean postoperative stay and medical charges were statistically significant between the groups. Conclusions: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy can safely be done as an outpatient procedure. Children with a complicated gallbladder disease process or associated medical condition benefit from an overnight stay. Perioperative pain management is crucial in all cases. Reduced hospital stay and medical charges are significant advantages in performing laparoscopic cholecystectomy as an outpatient procedure. (C) 2007 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.