Index cholecystectomy in a rural hospital: it can be done

Background

Index cholecystectomy (IC) refers to an operation during a patient's first hospital admission with symptomatic gallstone (GS) disease. There are proven reductions in cost, hospital bed days and GS-related complications while awaiting elective surgery. IC has not been universally adopted, particularly in smaller centres where logistics can present a barrier. The aim of this paper is to describe the introduction of routine IC at Hastings Hospital and the effects in terms of waiting time until surgery; GS-related re-presentations and complications while awaiting surgery; operative complications and overall hospital stay.

Methods

Data were collected for all patients who underwent cholecystectomy in the year following the introduction of IC (2015/2016). The results were compared with data from the year 2009/2010.

Results

A total of 259 cholecystectomies were performed over the 2015/2016 study period compared with 186 in the 2009/2010 study period. The IC rate increased from 9.89% in 2009 to 75.4% in 2015 (P < 0.001). The incidence of GS pancreatitis whilst waiting for surgery reduced from six in 2015 compared with one in 2009 (P = 0.046). The operative complications were similar in both groups. Total hospital stay was also similar.

Conclusion

The study shows that it is possible to perform IC in a rural setting reducing complications of waiting and in particular, rates of GS-related pancreatitis were significantly reduced. It can be done safely with an accommodating acute on-call system.

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