title: Results of Immediate Discharge From Postanesthesia Care Unit to Home After Laparoscopic Appendectomy for Acute Nonperforated Appendicitis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study examines the efficacy and safety of immediate discharge from the postanesthesia care unit after laparoscopic appendectomy for patients with acute nonperforated appendicitis.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective study of 114 laparoscopic appendectomy cases was performed. Seventy-four patients met inclusion criteria of having uncomplicated acute appendicitis. Patient demographics, operative times, length of postoperative stay, and complication rates were analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Only 3 of the 74 patients failed to be discharged immediately. Mean postoperative discharge time was 130.5 minutes with 86% of patients leaving within 3 hours. Delay in voiding was the most common cause of stays longer than 4 hours. Six of the 74 patients (8%) returned to the emergency room without need for readmission. There were no complications associated with the early discharge.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Immediate discharge from the postanesthesia care unit for patients with acute nonperforated appendicitis appears safe and effective in the community hospital setting.
authors.affiliation: *Department of Internal Medicine, University of North Dakota School of Medicine, Fargo, ND †Department of Surgery, University of Minnesota ‡Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, One Veterans Drive, Minneapolis, MN.
authors.forename: Valery
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Hrad
authors.forename: Steven J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Waisbren
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000762:Anesthesia Recovery Period; D001062:Appendectomy / Q000379:methods*; D001064:Appendicitis / Q000601:surgery*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010351:Patient Discharge / Q000639:trends*; D011184:Postoperative Period; D011997:Recovery Room; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult