A survey of 408 patients undergoing minor gynaecological procedures was undertaken to determine the optimal pattern of postoperative observation and feeding in the general surgical ward setting. Sixty per cent of all complications occurred within the first two hours after return to the ward. The rest were all of a visible nature, not requiring vital sign recording for detection. Oral intake was tolerated as soon as patients were conscious and co-operative.
It is concluded that routine observations need not be recorded for more than two hours after return to the ward after minor gynaecological surgery.
MaceJ.Day surgery — an aid to cost efficiency?Hosp Health Care Aust1985; May, 16:26–29.
2.
ForbesRB. General anaesthesia for day care surgery patients. Can Anaesth Soc J1983; 30:545–547.
3.
GooldJE. Postoperative spasticity and shivering — a review with personal observations of 500 patients. Anaesthesia1984; 39:35–38.
4.
JonesDF. Recovery from day-care anaesthesia: Comparison of a new induction agent Diprivan. Br J Anaesth1982; 54:629–632.
5.
GoldMI. Quoted in Asbury AJ. Problems of the immediate post anaesthetic period. Br J Hosp Med1981; 25:159–163.
6.
CollinsKM, DochertyPW, PlantevinOM. Postoperative morbidity following gynaecology outpatient laparoscopy. A reappraisal of the service. Anaesthesia1984; 39:819–822.
7.
CraigJ, CooperGM, SearJW. Recovery room day-care anaesthesia. Comparison between methohexitone, althesin and etomidate. Br J Anaesth1982; 54:447–450.
