[Office surgery: legislative, medicolegal and economic aspects]

An analysis of Italian legislation shows that while there are national guide lines (not organic on the subject of day surgery), a more fragmentary situation exists at a regional level (the authors work in Lazio and give details on the specific regional legislation). These differences may engenger confusion or, worse, discretion in their application. It has also been seen that at an international level there are no organic laws, except in rare cases. At both a national and international level, experience has been acquired in this direction, always with positive RESULTS. The authors underline the pre, intra and postoperative role of nurses and the economic aspects are analysed, regarding both the resources needed to create structures and provide maintenance costs, as well as those to cover the cost of individual procedures. In conclusion, the authors affirm that the matter is not clear in statutory terms. In some disciplines and for some types of surgery in suitable areas, day surgery is reliable; it is also economically and psychologically beneficial. The authors hope that the legislation will be harmonised and specific evaluation structures will be set up to monitor the quality of structures and also to authorize them.