Ambulatory Surgery: Current Status and Future Trends

Abstract

According to international terminology, Day surgery or Ambulatory surgery is the admission of selected patients to hospital for a planned, non emergency, surgical procedure, returning home on the same day. Minor outpatient procedures and most day cases endoscopic procedures are not considered appropriate day surgery cases. "True day surgery" patients are day case patients who require full operating theatre facilities and/or a general anaesthetic; procedures previously performed as inpatient cases are now considered appropriate day surgery cases.