Introduction.

The frequency of post-surgical complications of cholecystectomy performed overnight is a matter of controversy, and a higher rate has been reported during the night shift. The objective of this study was to analyze the presentation of difficult cholecystectomy depending on the time the surgery was performed, in addition to other complications, postoperative hospital stay, 30-day readmission, and reintervention.

Methods.

A retrospective, observational, analytical and cross-sectional study was carried out, comparing the presentation of difficult cholecystectomy and its frequency during daytime (8:00 am to 7:59 pm) and at night (8:00 pm to 7:59 am), in addition of seroma, abscess, bile leak, biloma, hematoma, post-surgical hospital stay, 30-day readmission, and reintervention.

Results.

A total of 228 patients were included in the study, 117 patients operated during the day (52%), and 111 at night (48%). Difficult cholecystectomy occurred in 26% vs. 34% of the cases operated on during the day and at night, respectively. The most frequent complication was seroma (14%). The mean hospital stay was 2.7 days in day surgeries and 2.5 in night surgeries; there were also 2% readmission at 30 days among patients operated during the day and 3% among those operated on at night.

Conclusions.

The frequency of difficult cholecystectomy and complications, postoperative hospital stay, 30-day readmission, and the need of reintervention, did not have significant differences with respect to the time of surgery.

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