Interest in
day-care surgery is on the increase world-wide, with various surgical specialties embracing this mode of health service. In a period of 5 years (January 1989-December 1993), 286 patients attending a
Plastic Surgical Unit were operated on a
day care basis. This represented 22.7% of all cases done within the period. The most frequently performed procedure was
keloid excision and
suture/flap cover (29.7%) followed by inguinal hemiorrhaphy (10.8%)
ganglionectomy (8%), excision of
lipoma (8%),
scar revision (5.2%),
suture of skin
lacerations (4.5%), breast lumps biopsy (5.9), release, grafting or plasty of flexion
deformity of fingers (3.4%). Other problems dealt with on
day care basis included repair of
human bite losses of face (3.2%); Excision of gynaccomastia (3.1%)
umbilical hernia repair (2.4%); breast augmentation with implant 0.3%. Excision of planter
wart, hairy naevus, chronic neck
folliculitis,
sebaceous cyst,
dermoid cyst and
polydactylism constituted the rest of problems dealt with as day cases. Readmission represents failure of
day care surgery and constituted 2.4% of all cases. This was due mainly to social factors and
bleeding at home. Significant
wound breakdown occurred in 0.69% of cases. We conclude that
day care plastic surgery in our subregion is safe and effective.