To evaluate the effectiveness of outpatient surgical centers (OSC) for low-complex surgical procedures during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in light of capacity constraints.
Key Findings:
422 patients (80.5%) received Port-a-cath implantation due to cancer diagnosis, highlighting the urgent need for these procedures.
No grade IV or V complications were observed, indicating a high safety profile.
Postoperative complications grade II and III occurred in 5.2% of OSC patients and 7.3% of COR patients, suggesting comparable safety.
Mean incision-to-suture time was shorter in OSC (36 min) compared to COR (42 min), with statistical significance to be determined.
Total OR time was quicker in OSC (1:08 h) compared to COR (1:20 h), though not significantly, indicating potential efficiency.
Interpretation:
The OSC demonstrated effective utilization of OR time for low-complex procedures, with comparable safety and patient satisfaction to COR, suggesting a viable model for future surgical practices.
Limitations:
Study conducted in a single institution, limiting generalizability to broader populations.
Random assignment may not account for all confounding variables, potentially affecting outcomes.
Conclusion:
Outpatient surgical centers can efficiently manage low-complex surgical procedures, optimizing OR utilization during capacity constraints like those experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic, and should be considered in future healthcare planning.
by Thomas Vogel, Dina Schippers, Balqees Aldarweesh, Ilaria Pergolini, Martina Stollreiter, Klaus Wagner, Dirk Wilhelm, Helmut Friess, Michael Kranzfelder
