Premium
Outpatient versus inpatient laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a prospective randomized study of symptom occurrence, symptom distress and general state of health during the first post‐operative week
Author(s) -
Barthelsson Cajsa,
Anderberg Bo,
Ramel Stig,
Björvell Catrin,
Giesecke Kajsa,
Nordström Gun
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
journal of evaluation in clinical practice
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.737
H-Index - 73
eISSN - 1365-2753
pISSN - 1356-1294
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2753.2007.00920.x
Subject(s) - medicine , nausea , distress , anxiety , randomized controlled trial , laparoscopic cholecystectomy , physical therapy , cholecystectomy , patient satisfaction , abdominal pain , general surgery , surgery , psychiatry , clinical psychology
Background Few randomized clinical trials focus on patients' symptoms of the first post‐operative week following outpatient (OPS) versus inpatient (IPS) laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). The objective was to compare these treatment modalities with regard to patients' perceptions of pain and other post‐operative symptoms, amount of distress, level of anxiety and general state of health during the first post‐operative week. Methods One hundred patients were randomized. Seventy‐three LC patients were valid for efficacy (OPS n = 34, IPS n = 39). Data were collected by means of questionnaires. Results The main result was that no differences were seen between the groups regarding the occurrence of post‐operative symptoms or symptom distress. Approximately 90% of the patients in both groups perceived pain, reduced mobility and tiredness on day 1. Nausea and loss of appetite were reported by half of the patients. Post‐operative day 1, both groups reported much or very much distress related to pain and reduced mobility (approximately 40%) and nausea (approximately 20%). Although both groups reported less symptoms on day 7, one‐third still experienced pain, but only one patient reported this to be distressing. Conclusion Laparoscopic cholecystectomy patients in both groups recover equally well, indicating that a greater proportion of LC patients should be offered the outpatient modality.