Endoscopic sinus surgery: A day surgery?

Abstract

Introduction: Endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) has an increase trend because it pro­vides wide surgical access through a minimally invasive approach. It can be performed on a day surgery basis because it has a fast postoperative recovery and a low complica- tion rate. This method has worldwide acceptance, however it has not been established in our national practice. Aim: Describe incidence and unplanned admission causes of ESS in the Otolaryngo- logy service of the Hospital del Salvador. Material and method: Retrospective review of patient medical records undergoing ESS by the same surgical team (Dra. Constanza J. Valdés y Dra. Paula Ruz) between August 2013 and December 2015. Patient demographic information, surgery and perio- perative complications were recorded. Results: 75 ESS procedures were scheduled to be performed on an outpatient basis. The incidence of unplanned stay was 15%. Fifteen patients had an unplanned admission, due to administrative problems (6) and perioperative complications (5). Conclusions: Fifteen percent of the patients who underwent ESS on a day surgery basis had an unplanned stay; its main cause is due to administrative problems. Excluding administrative causes of unplanned admission, 93% of the procedures performed were ambulatory procedures. This mode is plausible and desirable in the health system where resources are scarce.