Outpatient conventional laminotomy and disc excision.
METHODS
This study analyzes the clinical records of 75 consecutive cases of outpatient disc excision performed by the author on a prospective basis.


OBJECTIVE
The results were analyzed to determine the practicality of performing conventional outpatient laminotomy on an outpatient basis.


BACKGROUND
Outpatient disc excision has not been reported in the literature. Current awareness of the cost constraints of medical practice and the options of other outpatient disc procedures, such as microdiscectomy and percutaneous discectomy, make this a timely subject for analysis.


METHODS
The clinical data were collected prospectively on 75 consecutive patients operated on as outpatients by the author.


RESULTS
No complications or problems were experienced in the performance of this procedure in the outpatient setting. Two complications that did occur were neither due to the outpatient setting nor influenced in any way by the outpatient setting.


CONCLUSIONS
Outpatient surgery is a practical alternative for selected patients requiring disc surgery.
Newman
M H
MH
D000328:Adult; D000556:Ambulatory Surgical Procedures; D017586:Diskectomy; D006801:Humans; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000601:surgery*; D007796:Laminectomy; D008297:Male; D008499:Medical Records; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011446:Prospective Studies