Cholecystectomy without drainage, nasogastric suction, and intravenous fluids.

A comparative study was made between 60 patients in whom drainage of subhepatic space was performed after uncomplicated cholecystectomy and 60 patients in whom no drainage was performed. In addition, 30 patients were treated without drainage, nasogastric suction, or intravenous fluids. After operation the patients were evaluated as to postoperative pyrexia, wound infection, lung atelectasis, thrombophlebitis, and postoperative stay in hospital. Fever and wound infection occurred in fewer patients without drainage than those with drainage, but omission of nasogastric suction and intravenous fluids did not influence the incidence of wound infection. Postoperative stay in hospital was shorter in the patients without drainage and shortest in those treated without drainage, nasogastric suction, and intravenous fluids. Nasogastric suction and intravenous fluids are not needed postoperatively, as the degree of the paralytic ileus is very slight and they may be harmful, causing lung atelectasis and thrombophlebitis. Uncomplicated cholecystectomy may be performed safely without drainage, postoperative nasogastric suction, and intravenous fluids.