The quality of cholecystectomy in Denmark: outcome and risk factors for 20,307 patients from the national database

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is the standard treatment for symptomatic gallstones. The quality of the procedure frequently is included in quality improvement programs, but outcome values have not been described to define the standard of care for a general population. This study included 20,307 cholecystectomies from a national prospective database that combines administrative data with clinical data. This report states the quality of cholecystectomy in Denmark, establishes benchmarks, and identifies significant risk factors. The Danish Cholecystectomy Database was queried for data from 2006 to 2009. The outcome measures included conversion rate, hospital length of stay (LOS), readmission, additional procedures, and 30-day mortality. Patient characteristics and operative findings were analyzed as risk factors using stepwise backward logistic regression. The study included 20,307 patients (82% of all cholecystectomies). The conversion rate was 7.6%. Male sex, acute cholecystitis, and previous upper abdominal surgery were risk factors for conversion, with respective odds ratios of 1.50, 4.61, and 3.54. The mean LOS was 1.5 days, and 37.3% of the patients had same-day surgery. The readmission rate was 9.6%. Nearly 70% had a LOS of 1 day or less and no readmission; 17.3% had a LOS longer than 3 days and/or readmission; 5.6% had an additional procedure within 30 days; and 0.2% had a bile duct injury requiring reconstructive surgery. The 30-day mortality rate was 0.27%. Age older than 60 years, American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA) score exceeding 1, and open procedure were significant risk factors for all the outcomes. Body mass index (BMI) was not a risk factor for any of the outcomes. The quality of cholecystectomy is high in Denmark, with a low conversion rate and a high frequency of short admissions without readmission. Acute cholecystitis and open procedure are important risk factors for poorer outcomes.The results of this study analyzing a large, unbiased population can be used to benchmark outcomes of cholecystectomy.