Postanesthetic Complications of Outpatient Surgery

Kim, Tae Yop; Hwang, Byeong Mun; Yang, Jong Seok

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Outpatient surgery has grown in many hospitals. This rapid recently been on the increase in ambulatory surgery would not have been possible without the changing role of the anesthesiolosist and the development of new and short-acting anesthetic drugs. Specific care and knowledge are required for outpatient anesthesia. The aim of this study was to review the clinical experiences of postanesthetic patients at the Oneday Surgery Center (OSC).
METHODS
We reviewed the 720 records of the recovery unit in OSC and the 620 records of telephone interviewers? after discharge from January to December 1997. The PACU Record contained Aldrete scores and discharge summaies (about such things as vital signs, alertness and orientation, dizziness, nausea and vomiting, pain, the state of the neurovascular system, the ability to ambulate or dress, voiding, oral intake, etc). Records of telephone interviewers? after discharge contained questionnaires about wound status, limitations a activity and other abnormal symptoms relating to feeding, nausea and vomiting, pain, and medications.
RESULTS
The most largest percentages of parameters of patients were below 10 years of age; They had undergone general anesthesia in method, and Herniorraphies. All the patients achieved Alderete score of 7 10 on arrival at the First recovery unit (1st RU) in OSC and achieved 10 points within an hour, when they were transfered to the Second recovery unit (Comfortable room). 41 (5.4%) patients suffered from nausea or vomiting in the Recovery unit. One (0.1%) patient had nausea or vomiting and 5 (0.7%) patients had pain at discharge. The mean durations of stay at the 1st RU and Comfortable room were 90 min and 240 min respectively. Records of telephone visits after discharge showed that 30 (4.8%) patients had nausea or vomiting and 27 (4.3%) patients had postoperative pain after discharge. 20 patients (3.2%) had abnormal symptoms (e.g., fever, coughing, dysuria, epistaxis). There were no limitations in activities or feeding.
CONCLUSIONS
For the assurance of a rapid and complication-free recovery in the increasings needed ambulatory surgery, much effort is reguired to increase its quality and safety.