Background: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is now often an ambulatory procedure, but dependent on short-term postoperative complaints of pain and post-operative nausea and vomiting (PONV). The efficacy of post-anaesthesia care units (PACUs) is therefore important to facilitate return to normal functions. We investigated the feasibility and efficacy of a standardized, evidence-based anaesthesia/analgesic regime to identify residual problems in the early post-operative phase. Methods: One hundred and thirty-four consecutive patients admitted for elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy at Hvidovre University Hospital between 15 March and 30 September 2005 were included in the study. The standardized, evidence-based regime consisted of total intravenous (i.v.) anaesthesia (propofolremifentanil), well-defined fluid therapy, dexamethasone, ketorolac, ondansetron, sufentanil and incisional bupivacaine intraoperatively, and in the PACU on demand (prn) administration of sufentanil, morphine, paracetamol, ondansetron, droperidol, oral fluids and oxygen (if SpO 2 < 93%) with PACU discharge using a modified Aldrete score. Results: Protocol violations were moderate and occurred unsystematically, 8% had medical violations and 10% did not receive the pre-planned fluid amount. Severe PONV was seen in 2%.