Interruption of professional and home activity after laparoscopic cholecystectomy among French and American patients

Article Abstract:

For removal of the gallbladder, it is generally agreed that laparoscopic cholecystectomy (use of a scope inserted through a small incision in the abdomen) is less traumatic for the patient than the traditional open abdominal surgery. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a minimally invasive procedure which requires only four very small (1/2 inch or smaller) abdominal incisions. With this procedure, the patient is able to leave the hospital sooner than after open cholecystectomy and has a shorter recovery. But this expected shorter convalescence, as shown by an earlier return to work and normal activities, has not been fully documented. A study was undertaken to determine the recovery period for patients following laparoscopic cholecystectomy, with particular attention paid to time of return to work and preoperative physical activities. There were 104 French patients and 84 American patients studied. Within two weeks, the postoperative discomfort was gone for 73 percent of the French and 93 percent of the American patients, and normal home activities had been resumed by all but 11 French patients and five Americans. Of the 35 American and 40 French patients who worked outside the home, 63 percent of the Americans and 25 percent of the French returned to work within two weeks. Five Americans (14 percent) and 12 French (30 percent) did not return to work until four or more weeks after surgery. The level of physical work correlated with the time off from work; however, six patients (including construction workers) who did heavy labor returned to work within one week of surgery. Many of the French and some of the Americans were allowed six to eight weeks of paid sick leave. These findings show that early return to work is possible, but that cultural norms greatly influence a patient's beliefs about when he should return to work. All but one of the 136 patients said they would recommend this procedure to others facing cholecystectomy. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Demographic aspects, Postoperative period

---

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy: gateway to the future

Article Abstract:

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a minimally invasive method of removing the gallbladder. It is carried out through several small (1/2 inch or smaller) abdominal incisions. The gallbladder is removed under laparoscopic visualization (images from the illuminated optic instrument placed within the abdomen are displayed on a video monitor). This procedure, first performed in France in March 1987, has generated a huge wave of enthusiasm, if not a tidal wave. But the enthusiasm has both constructive and destructive potential. It is essential that careful scientific evaluation of these techniques be undertaken and that guidelines be established for instruction and credentialling of those surgeons who will perform this type of surgery. Laparoscopic surgery has been very useful to gynecologists, and general surgeons can expand their horizons with this new tool. It is the surgical patients who are urging this move forward. They are the surgeon's ally in developing new, less invasive approaches to disease. It is the surgeon's responsibility to use common sense in learning and applying these new techniques. Surgeons must be willing to convert a laparoscopic procedure to an open (traditional, more invasive) procedure if difficulties arise. The surgical community must establish guidelines and instruction for both surgical residents and practicing surgeons. Complete training must be accomplished before a surgeon performs laparoscopy. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy may be the gateway to the future, but the patient's safety must be the surgeon's foremost consideration. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

editorial

---

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: Traditional versus laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy

This website is not affiliated with document authors or copyright owners. This page is provided for informational purposes only. Unintentional errors are possible.