Frequency and implications of ambulatory surgery without a patient escort.

Purpose: A study was undertaken to identify the characteristics and outcomes of ambulatory surgical patients without an escort.

Clinical Features: During a 38-month period, the incidence of patients without an escort at one tertiary care institution was 0.2% (60/28,391).

Thirty percent of patients have moderate to severe pain 24 hr after ambulatory surgery: a survey of 5,703 patients.

Purpose: Postoperative pain is the commonest reason for delayed discharge and unanticipated hospital admission after ambulatory surgery. We investigated the severity of pain at 24 hr postoperatively and determined the most painful procedures. The need for further medical advice and clarity of postoperative analgesia instructions were also studied.

Pain management in ambulatory surgery.

Successful ambulatory surgery is dependent on analgesia that is effective, has minimal adverse effects, and can be safely managed by the patient at home after discharge. A number of studies have identified that the provision of effective postoperative analgesia is inadequate for a significant proportion of patients. The following discussion details the current available analgesic options for ambulatory surgery patients and the rationale for their use.