Out-patient hand surgery. A prospective study of 588 patients

The results of a prospective study of 588 patients operated on over a period of 4 months were analyzed. Of these patients, 6% only had to be hospitalized. The 555 other patients underwent out-patient surgery, 25% of which were emergencies. Thirty-four % of patients had one or more preexisting serious medical conditions. Ninety-one % underwent regional anesthesia. Complications were rare and did not seem to be preventable by hospitalization. While highlighting the many advantages associated with out-patient surgery, the authors stress the guidelines which must be followed as well as the pitfalls to be avoided in ambulatory surgery of the hand.