Outpatient Thyroid Surgery is Safe, Less Expensive, Say Researchers
Wednesday April 11, 2007
Research just published in the April 2007 issue of the journal Otolaryngology says that same-day outpatient thyroid surgery is preferable to an overnight stay, because it is less expensive.
The study looked at 91 patients over an 11-month period, and found that the rate of complications were similar for outpatient or inpatient surgery, but the outpatient environment reduced costs by several thousand dollars.
For example, the average cost of outpatient surgery was $7,814, compared to $10,288 for an inpatient stay.
The study's authors noted that patients should should be carefully selected to include only those who prefer to recuperate at home, and that patients should be given calcium supplements to prevent calcium deficiencies that can arise after a thyroidectomy.
Source: Terris, David J. MD; et. al., "Outpatient thyroid surgery is safe and desirable." Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2007 Apr;136(4):556-9. Online
Comments
I had one overnight at an Outpatient building (separate from main hospital) for my thyroid to be taken out. It was the easiest operation (out of
that I have ever had. I was quite impressed and was very surprised at the scar. Don’t be scared of this procedure!
I had a TT outpatient. I should NEVER have been sent home that night after the surgery! It was crazy!The next day at home, my neighbor came to visit me. She’s a nurse. She said, “there’s no way you should be home.”yes, i survived, but I called the hospital 3 times the first couple of days at home.
I almost went to the emergency room, I felt so terrible and was so unsure of my symptoms if I was calsium deficient.
MY advise, sleep over in the hospital and be cared for like you deserve after surgery.
I had my thyroid removed two weeks ago in the uk, there was no way i could have gone home the same day! I had two nights in hospital and i feel that was for me about right,even then going home i was a bit shaky… If you get the chance considering the hick-ups that can occur stay in as long you need!!