Can we improve our day-case rate in functional endoscopic sinus surgery?

Day-case functional endoscopic sinus surgery is associated with increased patient satisfaction and reduced costs. This study aimed to identify reasons for overnight admission with a view to improving same-day discharge.

This was a retrospective observation study over a one-year period. All consecutive patients who underwent elective functional endoscopic sinus surgery were included.

A total of 172 patients were included in this study. Functional endoscopic sinus surgery was planned as a day-case procedure in 152 patients (88 per cent), with a planned overnight stay in 20 (12 per cent). The rate of same-day discharge in patients who underwent elective functional endoscopic sinus surgery was 80.2 per cent (n = 138). Reasons for an unplanned overnight admission were: bleeding (n = 8), urinary retention (n = 3), medical co-morbidities (n = 1), post-operative pain (n = 1) and social reasons (n = 1).

There is scope to further improve the functional endoscopic sinus surgery day-case rate by utilising techniques to minimise post-operative bleeding. This has the potential to improve both patient satisfaction and service efficiency.