Major otology day case surgery: viable, cost efficient and safe.

BACKGROUND: There has been no study or institution in Ireland promoting major ear surgery performed as a day case procedure in adults. At present, there is a strong political and financial drive for increased elective day case surgery and also a public responsibility to reduce surgical waiting times.
METHODS: A prospective study of 43-day case otology patients who underwent major otological surgeries over an 18-month period in a tertiary referral center. We recorded morbidity, readmission rates and assessed the relationships between procedures performed and complications observed.
RESULTS: We report a same day discharge rate of 88.4% with a next day readmission rate of 2.3%. We report no major morbidities and found no association between the otological procedure performed and complications observed. Furthermore, there was no statistical association between age and complications observed. We have reduced our waiting list from 9 months to 4 weeks over the 18-month period.
CONCLUSION: Major day case otology surgery is an acceptable alternative to an inpatient procedure with favorable discharge rates in comparison to the UK results. Day surgery in this context is safe, cost efficient and expands the surgical possibilities within our department and specialty.