Postoperative Intravenous Drip Infusion is not Required after Minilaparotomy Cholecystectomy

Abstract

Objective: To determine if drip infusion should be discontinued after full recovery of the patient from anaesthesia after minilaparotomy cholecystectomy in uncomplicated cases.Design: A randomised controlled clinical trial on 60 patients, from the waiting list, of cholelithiasis/cholecystitis operated by minilaparotomy cholecystectomy between November 1995 to March 1996. 30 patients did not receive postoperative IV drip infusion and in 30 patients 12–24 hours of standard drip transfusion was continued according to the current practice.Setting: Single Surgical Unit, SS Hospital, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India.Main outcome measure: Recognition of clinical indication for continuation of. IV drip infusion after full recovery from anaesthesia. Results: In the cohorts of 30 patients each who were or were not given IV drip infusion after full recovery from anaesthesia following minilaparotomy cholecystectomy the observations on pulse rate, blood pressure, time to first voiding of urine and time to start first oral intake of fluids were identical. However postoperative urinary retention occured in 6 (20%) patients in whom the IV drip infusion was given. Conclusion: There is no clinical indication to continue IV drip infusion after full recovery from anaesthesia in patients operated for minilaparotomy cholecystectomy.

Feasibility, safety and benefit of no drip after cholecystectomy: a prespective observational study

“…Thus approach of liberal fluid is not justified as observed by other researcher. [2][3][4][5] Early oral feeding after moderate severity of abdominal surgery is feasible and safe. 2,6,7,8,xxx Successful outcome in 100 cholecystectomy patients without running IV drip and only IV lock for administration of anesthetic drugs had better outcome in terms of shorter hospital stay.…”

“…Enthusiastic fluids over load in major surgeries have deleterious effect and early resumption of oral feeding is beneficial in terms of work load, cost, patients comfort and morbidity due to IV drip. [1][2][3][4][5] Cholecystectomy is the common major surgery in most general hospitals. Major bleeding is rare and is detected during or within hours of surgery.…”

“…5 Despite preference for LC, studies have demonstrated 'LC and MC' are comparable and like LC, MC can be safely performed as a day surgery procedure 16 Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) was observed in 5 patients (3 did not require intervention, 1 received IV metoclopramide and 1 required metoclopramide together with a bottle of normal saline and IV). Four patients (4%) required resumption of IV drip, 2 due to low blood pressure (one required laparotomy), 1 had PONV and 4 th was for low oral intake with less urine output.…”