title: Day-case conventional discectomy: a randomised controlled trial.
abstract: A prospective randomised trial compared the results of conventional lumbar discectomy performed as day cases with those performed on an in-patient basis. The aim of the study was to investigate whether conventional discectomy can be performed safely on a day-case basis. Thirty-one patients were included in the study; 18 were randomised to day-case treatment and 13 to in-patient stay. Day patients mobilised more quickly immediately following surgery and were better able to walk at 2 weeks. The rate of complications was unchanged. It is concluded that conventional discectomy can be undertaken safely as day-case surgery and may indeed speed up the recovery process.
authors.affiliation: Middlesbrough General Hospital, Cleveland, UK.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gonzalez-Castro
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Shetty
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nagendar
authors.forename: C G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Greenough
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000556:Ambulatory Surgical Procedures; D017586:Diskectomy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000601:surgery*; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D020127:Recovery of Function; D016896:Treatment Outcome