Early cholecystectomy may reduce patient costs

AORN Journal,  April, 2008  

• E-mail
• Print
• Link

Patients with mild to moderate gallstone pancreatitis may benefit from earlier surgical treatment, according to a December 10, 2007, news release from the American College of Surgeons. When cholecystectomy was performed before laboratory or physical examination abnormalities were resolved, it reduced the patients' total length of hospital stay and did not increase surgical complication or morbidity rates.

Researchers conducted a retrospective investigation of 177 patients and a prospective investigation of 43 patients to determine the optimal timing of laparoscopic cholecystectomy for patients with mild to moderate galLstone pancreatitis. Findings revealed that patients receiving early cholecystectomy (ie, within 48 hours of admission) had a significant reduction in length of stay from seven to four days (P < .001). Although delaying a cholecystectomy remains the standard of care for severe galLstone pancreatitis, these findings indicate that early laparoscopic surgery for patients with mild to moderate gallstone pancreatitis may reduce the patient's length of stay and thus reduce the corresponding costs.

Earlier surgical treatment contributes to better outcomes for same patients with gallstone pancreatitis [news release]. Chicago, IL: American College of Surgeons; December 10, 2007. http ://www.facs.org/news/jacs/early 1207.html. Accessed December 18, 2007.

COPYRIGHT 2008 Association of Operating Room Nurses, Inc.
COPYRIGHT 2008 Gale, Cengage Learning