[Day surgery for cholecyst lithiasis].

Since 1997, laparoscopic cholecystectomy has been performed as one-day surgery (LC/DS) at our institution. Among the 122 patients enrolled in this program, 97 (80%) were successfully discharged within 24 hours after admission. Discharge was delayed for the other 25 patients, although 12 (48%) of them were discharged on postoperative day (POD) 2 or 3. This study not only verified the efficacy of LC/DS in shortening convalescence and allowing an early resumption of work but also confirmed the safety of LC/DS except in one patient with hemophilia A who required laparotomy for intraabdominal bleeding on POD 13. LC/DS is now the first choice of treatment for cholelithiasis regardless of symptoms. Discharge can be expected within 24 hours after admission in most cases, although the preference of patients should be considered when determining the timing of discharge.