Is a drip necessary for a cholecystectomy?

One hundred consecutive cholecystectomies were started without a drip. Three patients were given intravenous mannitol for jaundice, one intravenous Dextrose for diabetes control and four were given intravenous fluids following a transduodenal exploration of the common bile duct. Ninety-two patients who did not have a drip had a short postoperative stay (four days) with no complications that could be attributed to withholding IV fluids. We suggest that the use of intravenous fluids in most gallbladder surgery should cease.