title: Day case lumbar discectomy--viable option in the UK?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The inpatient length of stay for lumbar discectomy has been steadily declining, since its original description over 80 years ago. The operation was first described as a day case procedure in 1987, but only sporadically since then, especially in the UK. We describe our initial experience in introducing this service in Manchester.
  
  
  METHODS
  Over a 2-year period, 50 of 80 patients undergoing lumbar discectomy met the inclusion criteria for day case surgery, using standard microscopic techniques and admission via a day case unit.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Majority (N = 48) were single level, unilateral discectomies and 36 (72%) were discharged home the same day. The remainder (28%) were discharged after an overnight stay and within 24 h. Reasons for this included post-operative back pain and hypotension. Majority (N = 47), reported improvement or resolution of pre-operative back and leg pain, which was quantified using Visual analogue scores (p < 0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Lumbar microdiscectomy as a day case procedure remains a feasible and safe option in selected patients and can help free up in patient beds with a significant economic benefit also.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Greater Manchester Neurosciences Centre, Salford Royal Foundation Trust , Manchester , UK.
authors.forename: Ahmed
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Abou-Zeid
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Palmer
authors.forename: Kanna
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Gnanalingham
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000556:Ambulatory Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends*; D001416:Back Pain / Q000601:surgery; D017586:Diskectomy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000601:surgery; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011182:Postoperative Care; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D006113:United Kingdom; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: day case surgery; lumbar discectomy