Postoperative morbidity after day surgery
Day surgery has an excellent safety record.
Major morbidity with the potential for serious harm is rare. In a large study
from the Mayo Clinic in 1993, Warner reported that the mortality and major
morbidity in the 30 days after day surgery was 0.0007 per cent — lower than in
the general population who had not had surgery.
Minor
morbidity, however, is common and apparently minor problems can have significant
consequences. For the hospital, it results in longer stays in the DSU and
increased rates of overnight admission, which may cause problems if no bed is
available or the bed is earmarked for another patient. For the patient, it is
not only unpleasant but delays their recovery and return to normal life and is a
cause of dissatisfaction. For GP, it may increase workload.
Postoperative
morbidity is related to the type of anaesthesia used and the surgery itself.
The procedure is generally the most important predictor of complications. The
requirement to discharge patients within a relatively short time of their
surgery demands meticulous and safe anaesthetic and surgical techniques to
ensure good recovery with minimal postoperative morbidity.