Same-Day Discharge in Minimally Invasive Surgery Performed by Gynecologic Oncologists: A Review of Patient Selection

Abstract

Objective: To review the literature about same-day discharge (SDD) in minimally invasive surgery performed by gynecologic oncologists and identify factors associated with SDD and admission to provide selection criteria.

Data sources: Systematic review of PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and SCOPUS between May 2007 and May 2019. The search included the following medical subject heading terms and keywords: "same day discharge," "patient discharge," "minimally invasive surgical procedures," "hysterectomy," "gynecologic malignancy," "gynecologic neoplasm," "cervical cancer," "ovarian cancer," and "endometrial cancer."

Methods of study selection: Articles published in English about women who underwent minimally invasive procedures for benign and malignant conditions of the reproductive tract performed by gynecologic oncologists (robotic or laparoscopic) and who received SDD or admission were included. The following were described: SDD and admission rate, readmission or unscheduled evaluation rates within 30 days after surgery, and associated factors for each one.

Tabulation, integration, and results: Nine studies with a total of 16 423 patients were included. The complication rates in the studies were variable, with only 2 studies showing advantages in the SDD group with respect to intraoperative complications and wound complications. There were no statistically significant differences in postoperative complications in the first 30 days after the adoption of SDD. There were no higher readmission rates within the first 30 days in the group of patients who were discharged on the same day vs those admitted. The common factors associated with admission were as follows: age <70 years, surgery after 1 PM, duration of surgery more than 2 hours, and intraoperative complications. Other factors to consider were the presence of comorbidities that require follow-up within the hospital after surgery, adequate postoperative evaluation, and the patient accepting SDD.

Conclusion: SDD seems to be safe and feasible in minimally invasive surgery performed by gynecologic oncologists. The proposed selection criteria includes the following: younger than 70 years, surgery before 1 PM, procedure less than 2 hours, and no intraoperative complications.

Keywords: Genital neoplasms; Minimally invasive surgical procedures; Outpatient; Patient discharges; Robotic surgical procedures.