Parotid surgery in an outpatient setting: the Vancouver Hospital experience

The goal of the present study was to review our experience with parotid surgery in an outpatient setting. Particular attention was given to examining the demographics of the population suitable for this approach as well as to evaluating complication and readmission rates. Waiting times for surgery were reviewed. Our experience is then compared with that of other researchers reported in the literature.

A retrospective chart review of 76 patients undergoing parotid surgery by a single surgeon in a free-standing surgical centre associated with Vancouver General Hospital, a tertiary teaching facility, was undertaken for the following: age, gender, American Association of Anesthesiology classification, time between initial visit and surgery, type of procedure, pathology, operative and recovery times and rates of complications, emergency department visitation, and readmission.

Thirty-seven males and 39 females with a mean age of 44.8 +/- 16.2 years were reviewed. Mean operative and recovery times were 109.8 +/- 20 and 268.6 +/- 58 minutes, respectively. The minor complication rate was 6.6%. One patient (1.3%) required readmission and two others (2.6%) visited the emergency department.

Parotid surgery is possible on an outpatient basis, given appropriate patient selection. Our rates of complications, emergency department visitation, and hospital admission compare favourably with those reported in the literature.