Remote outpatient (Surgicenter) laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Gallbladder disease is one of the more common problems that we see in medical practice today afflicting the adult. The process seems to be more common in the female who has delivered children and is overweight, but it may occur in the younger person under 20, and in the elderly male as well. Dietary discretion, especially fat free diet, and antibiotics are frequently used as a conservative nonoperative approach. Dissolution, and stone crushing have not been widely successful procedures. Therefore, cholecystectomy has been the mainstay for treatment of these patients. The subcostal, vertical midline, or paramedian incision, over the years has been the standard. However, since 1989, endoscopic removal of the gallbladder through periumbilical ports has been widely utilized. In addition, free standing surgicenters not connected to a hospital, have been utilized for surgical programs to a greater extent. We opened a surgicenter in August 1994, and frequently perform laparoscopic gallbladder surgery at the facility without overnight stay.