Thyroidectomy with discharge on the same day

Abstract

Brasil. abstract Introduction: Thyroid surgery has been performed by hospitalization with the admission period exceeding 24 hours. Surgeries that allow same-day discharge reduce spending, promote greater turnover and utilization of hospital beds, and generate high patient satisfaction. However, in the thyroidectomy, the risk of hematoma and hypocalcemia are factors that cause resistance toward early discharge. Objective: The aim of this study is to describe a series of patients undergoing thyroidectomy with same day discharge, focusing on the procedure safety and patient satisfaction. Methods: A prospective study of patients undergoing thyroidectomy with same day discharge, compared with who were discharged on the first postoperative day or after, assessing clinical characteristics, type of surgery, weight of the gland, complications, and patient satisfaction. Results: A total of 105 patients were discharged on the same day, whereas 157 on the first postoperative day or after. There were no significant differences observed in the two groups’ complication rates. No patient who was discharged on the same day required hospital readmission. In the group of patients who were discharged on the same day, patient satisfaction was 98.1%. Conclusion: The same-day discharge procedure, in selected cases, proved to be safe and had a high satisfaction