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Introducing day case thyroid lobectomy at a tertiary head and neck centre
Z Sheikh1, V Lingamanaicker1, E Irune1
1Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, UK.
Annals of the Royal College of Surgeons of England
|June 30, 2021
Summary
Thyroid lobectomy can be safely performed as a day case procedure. Implementing a same-day discharge protocol can optimize patient safety and experience while addressing hospital bed pressures.
Area of Science:
- Endocrine Surgery
- Surgical Day Care
Background:
- Thyroid lobectomy is recognized as a safe day surgery by the British Association of Day Surgery.
- Currently, only 5.5% of UK thyroid surgeries are performed as day cases, indicating a gap in practice.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the feasibility and safety of introducing same-day discharge for thyroid lobectomy at our institution.
- To determine the potential for increasing day case thyroid surgery.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 173 thyroid lobectomy patients (April 2015-May 2019), excluding complex cases.
- Outcomes were compared against national audit data for surgeon-reported complications.
- Assessment of patient eligibility for day case criteria based on current hospital guidelines.
Main Results:
- No mortality, return to theatre for hematoma, or readmissions occurred in the study cohort.
- One postoperative hematoma required bedside drainage.
- 27.2% of eligible patients met the hospital's current day case criteria.
Conclusions:
- Day case thyroid lobectomy is a safe and viable option.
- A structured protocol can enhance patient safety and experience.
- Day surgery offers a cost-effective solution to hospital bed shortages.
