Chapter 22 Day Case Surgery

In the UK the definition of day surgery is the admission of selected patients to hospital for a planned surgical procedure, returning home on the same day. ‘True day surgery’ patients are day case patients who require full operating theatre facilities and/or a general anaesthetic, and any day cases not included as outpatients or undergoing endoscopy. Successful delivery of day surgery requires the day surgery service to be considered a priority by the hospital, with key enablers in all areas of the pathway providing effective implementation, refinement and progression. Appropriate day surgery anaesthesia requires meticulous attention to ensuring good pain relief and avoidance of postoperative nausea and vomiting. Many emergency surgical procedures are minor and non-life-threatening.

Multiple Choice Questions
Weblinks

Journal article

https://associationofanaesthetists-publications.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/ftr/10.1111/anae.14875/ (paid)

An excellent overview of spinal anaesthesia, the drugs available and the best technique and drugs to use to enable successful day surgery.

Guidelines

https://associationofanaesthetists-publications.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/anae.14639/ (free)

Guidelines are presented for the organisational and clinical management of anaesthesia for day case surgery in adults and children and offer the basis of day surgery.

https://www.cpoc.org.uk/sites/cpoc/files/documents/2021-03/CPOC-Guideline%20for%20Perioperative%20Care%20for%20People%20with%20Diabetes%20Mellitus%20Undergoing%20Elective%20and%20Emergency%20Surgery.pdf (free)

A very comprehensive guideline to help manage people with diabetes mellitus undergoing elective and emergency surgery perioperatively, including those having day surgery.

https://rcoa.ac.uk/gpas/chapter-6 (free)

Key guidance on the requirements to provide anaesthesia for day surgery. It covers facilities, equipment, staffing, training and special situations.

https://www.gettingitrightfirsttime.co.uk/bpl/day-surgery/ (free; also includes webinar)

An overview of the day surgery pathway and the key elements to enabling successful day surgery. There are presentations to listen to and guidelines and examples from well-established day surgery units.

  Back To TopTo top