Day surgery versus overnight stay laparoscopic cholecystectomy: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundLaparoscopic cholecystectomies are being increasingly performed as a day surgery procedure.AimTo systematically assess the safety and efficacy of laparoscopic cholecystectomy as a day surgery procedure compared to overnight stay.MethodsRandomized controlled trials and clinical controlled trials involving day surgery laparoscopic cholecystectomy were included in a systematic literature search. Two authors independently assessed the studies for inclusion and extracted the data. A meta-analysis was conducted to estimate the safety and feasibility of day surgery compared to overnight stay laparoscopic cholecystectomy.ResultsTwelve studies were selected for our meta-analysis. The meta-analysis showed that there was no significant difference between the two groups on morbidity (P = 0.65). The mean in-hospital admission and readmission rates were 13.1% and 2.4% in the day surgery group, respectively. The two groups had similar prolonged hospitalization (P = 0.27), readmission rate (P = 0.58) and consultation rate (P = 0.73). In addition, there was no significant difference in the visual analogue scale score, postoperative nausea and vomiting scale, time to return to activity and work between the two groups (P > 0.05).ConclusionsCurrently available evidence demonstrates that laparoscopic cholecystectomy can be performed safely in selected patients as a day surgery procedure, though further studies are needed.