OBJECTIVE: To investigate the impact of pathway-based care on patients with cholelithiasis undergoing daytime cholecystectomy. METHODS: Two hundred fifty-eight patients scheduled for daytime cholecystectomy were randomly assigned to a pathway care group and a control group (129 each). The control group received standard care, while the pathway care group received additional pathway-based care to assess its effectiveness. RESULTS: Before surgery (T CONCLUSION: Pathway-based care for cholecystectomy patients enhances operating room nursing quality and efficiency. It minimizes intraoperative stress response, reduces complications, and improves patient quality of life.