Laparoscopic assisted vaginal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy as a day surgery procedure: a promising option.

Laparoscopic surgical techniques are increasingly being used to treat gynaecological malignancies as studies confirm long-term results similar to open procedures. Within the UK National Health Service, there is a drive towards day of surgery admission and reducing inpatient stay. We audited the length of inpatient stay, acceptability to patients of day of surgery admission and timing of discharge and accessibility to early community follow-up, among women undergoing laparoscopic assisted vaginal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy in our unit over a 6-month period. We show that women find short inpatient stays acceptable and that many can be safely discharged, with no postoperative hospital follow-up, within 24 h. Adequate pre-admission procedures and easy access to advice, post-discharge must be ensured.