Index cholecystectomy for management of acute gallstone disease: a change of practice at a major New Zealand metropolitan centre

An increasing number of index cholecystectomies have been performed at this centre. An effect on waiting list numbers is yet to be shown, but the wait list has not ballooned to previous numbers, although the number of patients joining the wait list remains unchanged. Monthly bed days have decreased for all patients with acute gallstone disease, probably in response to a combination of the changes implemented.