Outpatient orchiopexy.

Outpatient surgery in children has been recommended as a means to help contain the increasing cost of health care. In addition, the shorter the child's hospitalization the less psychologic trauma. This study examines the feasibility of performing outpatient orchiopexy based on preoperative evaluation, surgical success rate and cost-effectiveness. The records of 459 inpatient and 77 outpatient orchiopexies were reviewed with regard to patient age, medical history (including previous inguinal surgery), preoperative palpability and intraoperative location, anesthetic technique, complications, duration of hospitalization and hospital costs. The results indicate that at least 68 per cent of orchiopexies can be performed as outpatient procedures. Overnight hospital stay from the ambulatory surgery unit was necessary in 5 per cent. Followup revealed that, despite same day ambulation and lack of postoperative restrictions, surgical success was in no way compromised by an outpatient procedure. Cost analysis shows that an average savings of 50 per cent per hospitalization can result from outpatient orchiopexy.