[Evaluation of patients who received treatment (procedures) that involved minor surgical techniques at home]

We retrospectively examined the clinical records of 24 patients who underwent minor surgery under local anesthesia among 207 who were taken care of at home by our staff, from December 1986 to March 2001. There were 17 men and 7 women. Their mean age was 74 years and the range was 50 to 92 years old. The treatment consisted of central vein catheterization in 14 patients, skin suture in 6, subcutaneous implantation of port establishment and epidural catheterization in 3 patients each, treatment of anus, thorax centesis, skin tumor resection, and treatment of bed sores 2 patients each, wash of thorax, ovarian cyst centesis, and transcutaneous trachocentesis 1 patient each. A relationship of trust with the patient and the family and informed consent were thought as the most important aspects regarding treatment involving minor surgery provided at home.