[Early postoperative discharge (author's transl)]

Early postoperative discharge is the most effective measure in establishing short stay surgery. In our clinic the data of discharge after standard operations have been defined empirically: appendectomy: 3rd to 4th day, cholecystectomy: 5th to 6th day, vagotomy: 5th to 6th day, inguinal hernia: 3rd to 4th day, struma resection: 3rd to 5th day. Early postoperative discharge presupposes no surgical complications and an undisturbed postoperative course. An early discharge cannot be recommended in patients older than 65 years, in patients living alone, in patients living in doubtful domestic conditions, and in alcoholics, No postoperative complications could be observed in any case of early discharge later on. 98.6% of all patients were satified with an early postoperative discharge.