Practice and acceptance of day-care surgery in a semi-urban Nigerian hospital.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the acceptability and practicability of day-care surgery in a semi-urban area of Nigeria.


METHODS
A twelve- month prospective study.


METHODS
Wesley Guild Hospital, Ilesa, Nigeria.


METHODS
Sixty seven consecutive patients with ASA I-II status and aged three months to 97 years were studied.


METHODS
Patients were operated as day-cases using general or local anaesthesia.


METHODS
Practicability, post-operative problems and acceptability.


RESULTS
The mean age of patients studied was 27.26 years (SD 23.89), with males accounting for 61% of the 67 cases. Fifty eight per cent and 42% had general and local anaesthesia respectively. While all patients had post-operative support from family members, less than seven per cent had access to telephone or family doctor services. About 80% of the patients lived within 10 km from the hospital. Intermediate operations accounted for 60% of the cases, while minor ones accounted for 40%. The mean operating time was 30 minutes. Postoperative pain was the only significant problem encountered. This, however, decreased in the patients with time. Complication rate was 10.5%.


CONCLUSIONS
A significant number of patients accepted and approved of the day stay surgery. Medical and surgical practitioners in semi-urban regions are encouraged and charged to accept the practice of short stay surgery.
Agbakwuru
E A
EA
Department of Surgery, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.
Faponle
A F
AF
Adesunkanmi
A R
AR
Ogundoyin
O
O
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000556:Ambulatory Surgical Procedures / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003906:Developing Countries; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006701:Home Nursing; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009549:Nigeria; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D011182:Postoperative Care / Q000451:nursing; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013383:Suburban Population