Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy in Samutsakhon Hospital.

Abstract

          Laparoscopic cholecystectomy was carried out in Samutsakhon hospital since August 4, 1993  for twenty cases. There were 15 females and 5 males with a mean age of 55.6 (range 21-74). All  patients had symptoms consistent with gallstones and proved by preoperative ultrasound. Two male patients were converted to open cholecystectomy due to empyema cholecystitis. The mean operative time in sucessful operated cases was 88 minutes (65-120). The nasogastric tube and urinary catheter  were removed in the recovery room. For patients who had the operation done in the morning, oral fluid  was allowed from the evening of the operative day and the diet was then increased on the following  morning. Pain medication was given only in oral form. Mean of postoperative hospital stay was 5 days (range 2-10) with return to work on full activity in less than2 weeks without complication.