The feasibility and acceptability of day case surgery in secondary health facility in Nigeria

AbstractBackgroundThere has been an increase in Day Case Surgery (DCS) worldwide. In Nigeria, this concept is now well established in most tertiary health institutions but has remained at low ebb at secondary health facilities. The aim of this prospective study was to document our experience as regards the feasibility and acceptability of this practice in our environment.MethodThis was a prospective study of patients treated as day cases between July, 2012 and June, 2014, at the State Specialist Hospital, Ikere-Ekiti, Nigeria.ResultsA total of 72 patients had 80 surgical procedures within the period. Their ages ranged between 1 and 86years and the median age is 30.5years. There were 48 males and 24 females giving a male: female ratio of 2:1. The surgeries performed were minor 34 (42.5%) and intermediate 46 (57.5%). Most (61.1%) were done under local anaesthesia. Pain was the commonest postoperative problem which subsided with analgesics in all cases. Complication rate was 6.3%. There was no mortality and none of the patient was readmitted. Majority of the patients (95.8%) were satisfied with their surgeries.ConclusionDay case surgery is feasible, safe and well accepted in our hospital. Other secondary health institutions are encouraged to imbibe the practice and reduce unnecessary hospital admissions in suitable patients