Same-day-stay head and neck surgery.
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.
Helmus
C
C
Butterworth Hospital, Grand Rapids, Mich. 49503.
Grin
M
M
Westfall
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R
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000556:Ambulatory Surgical Procedures; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006801:Humans; D008197:Lymph Node Excision; D008206:Lymphatic Diseases / Q000601:surgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D009055:Mouth / Q000601:surgery*; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D009333:Neck / Q000601:surgery*; D010306:Parotid Gland / Q000601:surgery; D010307:Parotid Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D010343:Patient Admission; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D012469:Salivary Glands / Q000601:surgery*; D013955:Thyroglossal Cyst / Q000601:surgery; D013997:Time Factors