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Thue Bisgaard, MD; Birthe Klarskov, RN; Jacob Rosenberg, MD,DSc; Henrik Kehlet, MD,PhD

Arch Surg. 2001;136:917-921.

Hypothesis  Detailed information on duration and limiting factors for convalescence after uncomplicated laparoscopic cholecystectomy is lacking. Duration of convalescence may be associated with patients' expectations, given recommendations, and postoperative complaints such as pain and fatigue.

Design  Prospective, descriptive study.

Setting  A university hospital.

Patients  Two hundred consecutive patients who underwent uncomplicated elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Intervention  For sedentary, light, or moderate workload or main recreational activity, we recommended 2 days of postoperative convalescence; for strenuous workload or recreational activity, we recommended 1 week.

Main Outcome Measures  Duration and reasons for absence from work.

Results  Convalescence from work (n = 85) and recreational activity (n = 198) was 6 days (range, 0-28 days) and 2 days (range, 0-24 days), respectively, in patients recommended for 2 days' convalescence. In patients recommended for 1 week of convalescence, convalescence from work (n = 25) was 10 days (range, 0-52 days), and convalescence from main recreational activity (n = 2), 8 days (range, 5-11 days). Among 87 patients who resumed work or activity later than recommended, pain was a contributory cause in 41 patients, fatigue in 35 patients, and convalescent period falling on a weekend in 26 patients, while 29 patients had arranged vacation or sick leave preoperatively. Preoperative expectation of convalescence and pain were independent contributory factors (P<.01) for convalescence from work for longer than 2 days in patients recommended for 2 days' convalescence.

Conclusions  The period of convalescence after uncomplicated laparoscopic cholecystectomy is about 1 week from work and 2 days from recreational activity when 2 days of convalescence is recommended. Improved pain relief and patient information may further reduce convalescence.

From the Department of Surgical Gastroenterology, University of Copenhagen, Hvidovre, Denmark.

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