Laparoscopic cholecystectomy in freestanding outpatient centers.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy has been shown to effectively reduce the hospitalization and postoperative recovery of patients undergoing cholecystectomy and has now become the most common method of cholecystectomy across the United States. Although previous reports document that this procedure can be performed safely on an outpatient basis, there is still some concern about discharging patients immediately after surgery. This study was undertaken by a cross section of general surgeons to determine whether laparoscopic cholecystectomy could be performed safely in an outpatient center.