Same-day-stay head and neck surgery.

The purpose of this study was to determine if selective head and neck surgical procedures on a same-day basis are justifiable. Two hundred consecutive head and neck same-day procedures were reviewed, including 84 parotidectomies and 116 other procedures previously managed as inpatients. Of the 200 patients, 36 (18%) were admitted, 33 for overnight observation, and 164 (82%) were discharged the same day. There were no complications reported in the discharged patients and a later questionnaire showed that 97% of the patients were satisfied. The advantages of selective same-day procedures outweigh the disadvantages for otolaryngologist and patient. The study shows that same-day-stay head and neck surgery for selective procedures is safe, reasonable, and cost-effective, but the combined efforts of the otolaryngologists, nurses, and administrators are required. Because of rising healthcare costs, experts are predicting a significant increase in the next few years of outpatient surgery, including surgery of the head and neck.