RESUMO
INTRODUCTION: Outpatient laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a safe procedure and provides a better use of health resources and perceived satisfaction without affecting quality of care. Preoperative education has shown less postoperative stress, pain and nausea in some interventions. The principal objective of this study is to assess the impact of preoperative education on postoperative pain in patients undergoing ambulatory laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Secondary objectives were: to evaluate presence of nausea, morbidity, hospital admissions, readmissions rate, quality of life and satisfaction. METHODS: Prospective, randomized, and double blind study. Between April 2014 and May 2016, 62 patients underwent outpatient laparoscopic cholecystectomy. INCLUSION CRITERIA: ASA I-II, age 18-75, outpatient surgery criteria, abdominal ultrasonography with cholelithiasis. Patient randomization in two groups, group A: intensified preoperative education and group B: control. RESULTS: Sixty-two patients included, 44 women (71%), 18 men (29%), mean age 46,8 years (20-69). Mean BMI 27,5. Outpatient rate 92%. Five cases required admission, two due to nausea. Pain scores obtained using a VAS was at 24-hour, 2,9 in group A and 2,7 in group B. There were no severe complications or readmissions. Results of satisfaction and quality of life scores were similar for both groups. CONCLUSIONS: We did not find differences due to intensive preoperative education. However, we think that a correct information protocol should be integrated into the patient's preoperative preparation. Registered in ISRCTN number ISRCTN83787412.