ADVANTAGES OF OUTPATIENT BREAST SURGERY

This article outlines surgical, financial, and psychosocial advantages of outpatient, definitive breast cancer surgery. The analysis of 118 patients who underwent outpatient breast cancer surgery between Januar y 1991 and December 1993-20 modified radical mastectomy, 90 lumpectomy and axillary dissection or axillary dissection alone, and 8 partial o r simple mastectomy-revealed only three patients with minor complicati ons requiring admission. Same-day discharge was safely accomplished by early morning admission and using recovery room time for postoperativ e education. Outpatient cost was $1572 compared with an average 3-day inpatient cost of $6282, for a potential savings of $4710, or 75%, per patient for modified radical mastectomy. Outpatient cost was $1080 co mpared with an average 2-day inpatient cost of $4907, for a potential savings of $3827, or 78%, per patient for lumpectomy with axillary nod e dissection. Patients have indicated a high level of satisfaction wit h ambulatory surgery and experienced faster healing and recovery at ho me within the family milieu.