Obesity and day-case surgery

Day-case surgery is increasing in popularity and more patients with multipl e medical problems are being considered as suitable for this approach. Howe ver, the current recommendations exclude morbidly obese patients (body mass index > 35 kg.m(-2)). We present a review of 258 morbidly obese patients w ho have received treatment in our day-surgery unit. Our experience does not show any significant increase in unplanned admission rates or postoperativ e complications. In conclusion, we feel that morbid obesity alone should no t be an exclusion criterion for day-case surgery.