Postanaesthetic considerations and complications after ambulatory anaesthesia

Ambulatory or day-case surgery is being employed to an ever-increasing extent. Although it has many advantages, it is not suited to the needs of every patient. For example, patients who live alone, particularly the elderly, might well not be able to care for themselves adequately after such surgery and are probably at a higher risk of developing complications, including infections. Furthermore, pain treatment may be insufficient, as a consequence of which recovery can be prolonged and the resumption of normal daily activities might be delayed. Nausea, dizziness and vomiting can also prolong recovery and need to be adequately treated after ambulatory surgery. Therefore, the often cited cost effectiveness of ambulatory surgery is questionable if complications cannot be prevented or treated effectively.