Evaluation of post-operative stay after inpatient major surgery--a prospective study

The present study was carried out at a single surgical unit of AIIMS, to evaluate the risk and benefit of short post-operative stay in adult population after inpatient surgery under general anaesthesia for various intra-abdominal, Genitourinary, breast and thyroid disorders including emergency procedures. The age of the patients ranged from 17-71 years. Patients with minor surgical procedures were excluded from the study. A total number of 138 patients were included in the study comprising of Test group. The patients were discharged within 5 days of the operative procedure. There was no major morbidity or mortality related to early discharge. The mean duration of postoperative length of hospital stay was 5.25 days in test group of patients as compared to 10.20 in control group of patients. In conclusion therefore, short hospitals stay following major procedures is safe and effective in reducing the cost of hospital care to the patient and hospital both.