Safety of a freestanding surgical unit for the assisted reproductive technologies

To determine the safety of a freestanding surgical unit for assisted reproductive technology (ART), using the rate of unplanned admissions to a hospital within 24 hours of surgery.

Prospective.

A freestanding surgical unit within a medical office building.

A mixture of private and university-referred patients undergoing 6,776 ART surgical procedures.

Patients admitted during the first 24 hours of surgery were recorded and hospital progress was monitored for invasive procedures, treatments, time of discharge, and residual complications. Variables tabulated included age, fertility diagnosis, ART procedure, E2 level, number of follicles by ultrasound, previous surgery, and type of anesthesia.

There were 11 hospital admissions (0.16%). Four patients required surgery: one laparoscopy and three laparotomies. Admissions after vaginal oocyte retrieval were no different from those after GIFT via laparoscopy, 0.16% versus 0.18%, respectively. The number of admissions after monitored anesthesia care was higher than expected compared with general anesthesia. Profiles of hospitalized patients showed no apparent differences from the nonhospitalized patients.

Surgical procedures for ART performed in a freestanding surgical unit can be performed safely with a low hospitalization rate and minimal morbidity.