Patient Satisfaction After Outpatient Appendectomy.

Area of Science:

• Minimally Invasive Surgery
• Surgical Outcomes
• Patient Experience

Background:

• Outpatient laparoscopic appendectomy is recognized as a safe procedure with low complication rates.
• Concerns exist regarding potential negative impacts on patient satisfaction compared to inpatient care.
• This study addresses the question of patient satisfaction with outpatient appendectomy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate patient satisfaction following outpatient laparoscopic appendectomy for uncomplicated appendicitis.
• To identify factors influencing patient satisfaction in an outpatient surgical setting.
• To determine if patients would opt for hospitalization if given the choice.

Main Methods:

• Patients with uncomplicated appendicitis were counseled on outpatient management protocols.
• Telephone surveys using a Likert scale assessed patient satisfaction post-discharge.
• Patients were asked about their preference for hospitalization versus outpatient care.

Main Results:

• The average patient satisfaction score was 4.6 out of 5.
• 75% of surveyed patients reported high satisfaction with outpatient management.
• 11% of patients expressed a preference for hospitalization, citing reasons like pain control and home support.

Conclusions:

• Outpatient laparoscopic appendectomy can achieve high levels of patient satisfaction.
• Strict adherence to outpatient management protocols is crucial for patient selection and satisfaction.
• Optimizing patient selection and support enhances the success of outpatient appendectomy.