Abstract
Background. After laparoscopic cholecystectomy, the duration of convalescence is 2 to 3 weeks
with an unclear pathogenesis. This study was undertaken to analyze postoperative recovery
after uncomplicated elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Methods. Twenty-four consecutive unselected employed patients were followed up prospectively
from 1 week before to 1 week after outpatient laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Daily
computerized monitoring of physical motor activity and sleep duration and night sleep
fragmentation (actigraphy), subjective sleep quality, pulmonary function, pain, and
fatigue were registered. Treadmill exercise performance (preoperatively and at postoperative
days 2 and 8) and nocturnal pulse oximetry at the patients' homes (preoperatively
and postoperative nights 1-3) were completed. Results. Median age was 41 years (range, 21-56). Compared with preoperatively, levels of physical
motor activity, fatigue, and pain scores were normalized 2 days after operation. Subjective
sleep quality was significantly worsened on the first postoperative night, and sleep
duration was significantly increased on the first 2 postoperative nights. There were
no significant perioperative changes in actigraphy night sleep fragmentation, incidence
of self-reported awakenings or nightmares/distressing dreams, exercise performance,
or nocturnal oxygenation. Pulmonary peak flow measurements were normalized the day
after operation. Conclusion. After uncomplicated outpatient laparoscopic cholecystectomy, there is no pathophysiologic
basis for recommending a postoperative convalescence of more than 2 to 3 days in otherwise
healthy younger patients. (Surgery 2002;132:817-25.)
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Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
June 24,
2002
Footnotes
*This study supported by grants from the University of Copenhagen and The Danish Medical Research Council (journal no. 9902757), The Danish Hospital Foundation for Medical Research. Region of Copenhagen, The Faroe Islands and Greenland, and King Christian the 10th Foundation.
**Reprint requests: Thue Bisgaard, Department of Surgical Gastroenterology 435, University of Copenhagen, Hvidovre Hospital, DK-2650 Hvidovre, Denmark. (E-mail: [email protected])
Identification
Copyright
© 2002 Mosby, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
