Day case laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a review of patient selection factors and identification of potential barriers to same-day discharge

Background: Day-case laparoscopic cholecystectomy (DCLC) is a useful tool for minimizing hospital admissions and prolonged presurgical wait times in suitable patient cohorts. There have been many international studies to support this finding and an increasing interest has grown in implementation in Australia. This review aims to provide clarity how to best implement this tool in gallbladder disease patient demographic.

Observations: This literature review evaluates studies on day-case cholecystectomy procedures, focusing on patient factors, procedural aspects, surgical morbidity, and systemic implications. It explores inclusion and exclusion criteria for day-case suitability, factors influencing same-day discharge, reasons for hospital admission, pain management, patient quality of life, patient satisfaction, and cost implications.

Conclusions: DCLC, when selected judiciously, is a safe alternative to overnight stay procedures for cholecystectomy with comparable surgical outcomes and patient satisfaction, affirming its viability. Strict patient selection criteria can aid in optimizing the successful implementation procedure, reducing unexpected admissions and readmissions and we have demonstrated useful criteria for guidance in establishing day-case laparoscopic cholecystectomy protocol at a hospital.