Safety of a freestanding surgical unit for the assisted reproductive technologies.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the safety of a freestanding surgical unit for assisted reproductive technology (ART), using the rate of unplanned admissions to a hospital within 24 hours of surgery.


METHODS
Prospective.


METHODS
A freestanding surgical unit within a medical office building.


METHODS
A mixture of private and university-referred patients undergoing 6,776 ART surgical procedures.


METHODS
Patients admitted during the first 24 hours of surgery were recorded and hospital progress was monitored for invasive procedures, treatments, time of discharge, and residual complications. Variables tabulated included age, fertility diagnosis, ART procedure, E2 level, number of follicles by ultrasound, previous surgery, and type of anesthesia.


RESULTS
There were 11 hospital admissions (0.16%). Four patients required surgery: one laparoscopy and three laparotomies. Admissions after vaginal oocyte retrieval were no different from those after GIFT via laparoscopy, 0.16% versus 0.18%, respectively. The number of admissions after monitored anesthesia care was higher than expected compared with general anesthesia. Profiles of hospitalized patients showed no apparent differences from the nonhospitalized patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Surgical procedures for ART performed in a freestanding surgical unit can be performed safely with a low hospitalization rate and minimal morbidity.
Oskowitz
S P
SP
Beth Israel Hospital and New England Deaconess Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
Berger
M J
MJ
Mullen
L
L
Smalky
M
M
Alper
M
M
Thompson
I
I
D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D015181:Gamete Intrafallopian Transfer; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012099:Reproductive Techniques; D012449:Safety; D013531:Surgicenters; D013997:Time Factors