CONSENTING PRACTICE FOR POST-OPERATIVE DIARRHEA IN PATIENTS UNDERGOING LAPAROSCOPIC CHOLECYSTECTOMY NEEDS ATTENTION

Abstract

Objective: To determine consenting practice for post-cholecystectomy diarrhea at a single UK tertiary care center and
how it could be improved to ensure patients are fully informed.
Material and Methods: Data on discussed complications was obtained from consent forms between February 2015 to
August 2015 in a single unit high-volume UK teaching hospital (Royal Stoke University Hospital, Stoke-on-Trent, UK). All
adults (aged 18 or more) undergoing either emergency or elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy as a primary procedure
for gallstones, acute cholecystitis and biliary colic, were included. The re-audit following educational intervention was
completed between June 2016 and November 2016. Data was analysed according to grade of consenting surgeon.
Results: During the first audit involving 74 patients, only 22 (29.7%) were consented for risk of post-operative diarrhoea,
all by consultants. Following re-education and subsequent re-audit, 45 out of 75 patients (60%) were consented for
post-operative diarrhoea, representing an increase.
Conclusion: Effective education can raise awareness about post-operative diarrhoea following cholecystectomy. This
will enable effective awareness and manage patient expectations following surgery.