A prospective study to evaluate discharge of patients from the hospital the day of open cholecystectomy was performed. Patients were selected for outpatient operation if they were less than 55 years of age, did not undergo exploration of the common bile duct and had no significant co-morbidity. During a six month period, 94 consecutive patients underwent cholecystectomy. Forty-four of 64 eligible patients were discharged the day of operation. Patients were walking and receiving oral liquids soon after operation. Marcaine (bupivacaine hydrochloride) was injected subfascially in all patients and vertical incisions were used in 34 of 44. One patient required readmission for 12 hours, three days after operation. The satisfaction rate was high and the patients returned to their usual activity in seven to 21 days. Outpatient open cholecystectomy is safe, and appropriate therapy and the data established a standard with which to compare that of laparoscopic cholecystectomy.