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Same‐day‐stay head and neck surgery
Author(s) -
Helmus Christian,
Grin Mina,
Westfall Rolleen
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
the laryngoscope
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.181
H-Index - 148
eISSN - 1531-4995
pISSN - 0023-852X
DOI - 10.1288/00005537-199212000-00003
Subject(s) - medicine , otorhinolaryngology , head and neck surgery , head and neck , surgery , general surgery , surgical procedures
The purpose of this study was to determine if selective head and neck surgical procedures on a same‐day basis are justifiable. Two hundred consecutive head and neck same‐day procedures were reviewed, including 84 parotidectomies and 116 other procedures previously managed as inpatients. Of the 200 patients, 36 (18%) were admitted, 33 for overnight observation, and 164 (82%) were discharged the same day. There were no complications reported in the discharged patients and a later questionnaire showed that 97% of the patients were satisfied. The advantages of selective same‐day procedures outweigh the disadvantages for otolaryngologist and patient. The study shows that same‐day‐stay head and neck surgery for selective procedures is safe, reasonable, and cost‐effective, but the combined efforts of the otolaryngologists, nurses, and administrators are required. Because of rising healthcare costs, experts are predicting a significant increase in the next few years of outpatient surgery, including surgery of the head and neck.