BACKGROUND: The aim of this stud y was to investigate the adoption of a protocol of intravenous fluid restriction in the length of hospital stay after open cholecystectomy. METHOD: Prospective study including female patients undergoing open cholecystectomy after the adoption of a new protocol (ACERTO protocol). Patients with intra- or postoperative interferences with original operation or normal course were excluded. All patients receive a carbohydrate beverage 2h before operation. Variables collected were: weight, height, nutritional status, total volume of intravenous fluids (VTFI) and volume received in ml/kg of weight/day. RESULTS: 64 patients (11 M and 53 F; median age = 43 [18-65] years) entered the study. Postoperative re-feeding occurred in the same day of the operation (62.5%) or in the next day (37.5%). There were no deaths or postoperative infectious complications. Median length of postoperative stay was 1 (1-4) days. Discharge on the 1st PO day was possible in 73.3% when prescription was at least 20 mL/kg/day and in 41.2% when this volume was greater ((p<0.001; Odds Ratio=3,92; IC95% 1,36-11,32). CONCLUSION: Restriction of postoperative intravenous fluids leads to early hospital discharge after open cholecystectomy.
Cholecystectomy; Length of stay; Fluid therapy
