Outpatient thyroid surgery is safe and desirable.
BACKGROUND
Thyroid surgery has traditionally been done on an inpatient basis. With the advent of minimal access techniques, drains are frequently not required and ambulatory thyroidectomy is possible.


METHODS
Prospective, nonrandomized analysis of consecutive series of patients.


METHODS
Patients undergoing thyroid surgery between 12/1/04 and 10/31/05 were stratified based on admission status. Demographic data were collected and outcome measures were considered.


RESULTS
Ninety-one patients underwent thyroid surgery. Fifty-two were done on an outpatient basis, 26 patients were observed under a 23-hour status, and 13 were admitted. There were two complications in the outpatient group and one in the inpatient group (P = 1.0). Costs were significantly lower for outpatients ($7,814) than for inpatients ($10,288; P < 0.0001).


CONCLUSIONS
In carefully selected patients who prefer convalescence at home, outpatient thyroidectomy can be performed safely and cost-effectively, particularly when prophylactic calcium supplementation is utilized after total thyroidectomy to prevent transient postoperative hypocalcemia.
Terris
David J
DJ
Department of Otolaryngology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, GA 30912-4060, USA. dterris@mcg.edu
Moister
Brent
B
Seybt
Melanie W
MW
Gourin
Christine G
CG
Chin
Edward
E
D000556:Ambulatory Surgical Procedures; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013965:Thyroidectomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods