Ureteroscopy in the day case setting: it’s worth it! Retrospective single surgeon outcomes analysis during service relocation (inpatient to daycase) in a DGH

Objective: Due to advances in surgical techniques and anaesthesia, day surgery is now becoming the standard care pathway for many complex procedures traditionally treated through inpatient pathways. Our aim was to study outcomes for patients undergoing rigid and flexible ureteroscopy before and after moving this service from a district general hospital to a day surgery unit. 

Methods: This was a retrospective observational study of 136 consecutive patients undergoing elective ureteroscopy for stone treatment. Half of the patients (n=68, inpatient group) underwent treatment according to the standard inpatient pathway, while the other half underwent treatment following relocation of this service to a day case unit (n=68, day case group). Outcomes were length of stay, readmission rate and complications. 

Results: In the inpatient group, 12 patients (17.6%) were discharged home the day of surgery (day 0), 42 patients (61.8%) stayed in hospital for one night. In the day case group, 58 patients (85.3%) were discharged on day 0, nine patients (13.2%) stayed for one night. Length of stay in the day case group was significantly shorter (P<0.001). Rates of postoperative complications and readmissions were not significantly different. 

Conclusion: Day case ureteroscopy for stone treatment is feasible and safe. It is associated with a significantly reduced length of stay without an increase in postoperative complications or readmission.