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Major otology day case surgery: viable, cost efficient and safe
J P O'Neill1, O Young, B Conlon
1Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, St James Hospital, James St, Dublin, Ireland. joneill@rcsi.iel
Irish Journal of Medical Science
|July 30, 2011
Summary
Major ear surgery as a day case procedure is safe and effective in adults, achieving high discharge rates and significantly reducing surgical waiting times. This approach offers a cost-efficient alternative to inpatient care.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Surgical Innovation
- Health Services Research
Background:
- No prior initiatives in Ireland for major ear surgery as day cases.
- Current healthcare focus on increasing elective day case surgeries.
- Public and political pressure to reduce surgical waiting lists.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the feasibility and outcomes of major otological surgery as a day case procedure in adults.
- To assess morbidity and readmission rates associated with day case ear surgery.
- To determine the impact on surgical waiting times.
Main Methods:
- Prospective study of 43 adult patients undergoing major otological surgery.
- Data collection over an 18-month period in a tertiary referral center.
- Analysis of morbidity, readmission rates, and procedure-complication relationships.
Main Results:
- Achieved an 88.4% same-day discharge rate.
- Reported a low 2.3% next-day readmission rate.
- No major morbidities observed; no association found between procedure type, age, and complications.
Conclusions:
- Major day case otology surgery is a safe and viable alternative to inpatient procedures.
- Demonstrated favorable discharge rates compared to UK data.
- Day surgery is cost-efficient, expands surgical capacity, and reduces waiting lists.
