Purpose

To study the factors influencing early postoperative recovery after laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Design

A nonexperimental retrospective study.

Methods

The study was performed using records from all patients who had undergone laparoscopic cholecystectomy at a hospital in Northern Sweden in 2017 (219 patients in total). Nonparametric data were analyzed using Spearman's rho, Mann-Whitney U test, and logistic regression. Parametric data were analyzed using Pearson's correlation, an independent t test, and analysis of variance.

Findings

The length of stay in the postanesthesia care unit was not predicted by factors such as age, gender, body mass index, American Society of Anesthesiologists classification, postoperative nausea and vomiting, premedication, or type of surgery. Younger age and high classification level were significant predictors of pain during rest and pain when in motion. No significant predictors of postoperative nausea were found. The majority of study participants experienced little or no pain or nausea. The documentation of pain, nausea, and premedication was inadequate in many cases.

Conclusions

Nurses in postanesthesia care units should work to preventively identify and address patients’ medical and emotional needs so that optimal conditions for postoperative recovery can be provided.