To evaluate the likelihood that patients can be discharged from the hospital the day after open cholecystectomy, a prospective study of 500 consecutive patients undergoing cholecystectomy was undertaken. The study group included patients with associated acute and gangrenous cholecystitis, biliary pancreatitis and choledocholithiasis as well as those with diabetes, hypertension and obesity. Approximately one-fourth of the total group were discharged within 24 hours and over one-half in 48 hours. There was a significant correlation between advancing age and increasing length of stay. Almost one-half of the patients less than 35 years of age without acute or complicated disease were discharged within 24 hours, more than 80 per cent within 48 hours, and the mean length of postoperative stay (MLS) for these patients was 1.9 days. The presence of choledocholithiasis and fever greater than 101 degrees F. increased MLS, while acute cholecystitis, hyperamylasemia and leukocytosis did not. Early discharge from the hospital after open cholecystectomy, even in sick patients, is safe and cost-effective.