Abstract
Background. To find out the suitability of increasingly common short stay surgery in major conventional gynecological operations.
Methods. A retrospective study of sixty-six patients who underwent major conventional gynecological operations on a short stay basis between January 1990 and December 1992, in a private hospital, at Turku. Finland, were enrolled to the study. The length of the operation, the time of hospitalization, the duration of the sick leave and possible complications were retrospectively studied. The postoperative long-term outcome and the satisfaction of the patients with short stay surgery was evaluated with a questionnaire.
Results. The patients were hospitalized for mean 2.6 days. There were no peroperative complications but four patients (6%) needed rehospitalization because of postoperative problems. Five minor complications (two wound infections and three urinary tract infections) were treated in outpatients after discharge. All patients were satisfied with the short stay surgery. The day of discharge was considered suitable by 80% of the patients and most of the patients (97%) would also recommend similar treatment to their acquaintances.
Conclusion. These results suggest that short stay surgery in major gynecological operations can be considered as an alternative to conventional hospitalization.