1 0 3
O C T O B E R 2 0 1 4 | O U T P AT I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E O N L I N E
changes in post-op care are revolutionizing the average length of stay
for patients — making a 23-hour discharge after colectomy possible.
New technology and a better understanding of how to care for
patients after surgery have decreased the average amount of time most
patients stay in the hospital from 11 days to about 8 days, but there are
some physicians advancing the procedure further, with patients leaving
in just 23 hours.
Experts say that about 25% of patients undergoing laparoscopic
colectomies are able to leave within the same day. How is it possible?
Anthony J. Senagore, MD, MS, MBA, clinical professor of surgery at
Case Western Reserve University and University Hospitals of
Cleveland in Ohio, gives credit to laparoscopic surgery, along with
changes in how to manage pain and an early introduction of a diet
and ambulation. "It all translates into an earlier transition to home,"
he says.
Intraoperative techniques
Laparoscopic surgery has been around for a while but it's still strug-
gling to catch on for colectomy procedures. According to Mehran
Anvari, MBBS, PhD, FRCSC, FACS, professor of surgery and chair of
minimally invasive surgery and surgical innovation at McMaster
University in Hamilton, Ontario, only 40% of colectomy procedures in
Canada are done using laparoscopy over the traditional open tech-
nique, despite its many benefits. The smaller incision, experts say,
reduces the unwanted effects of open surgery that traditionally keep
patients in the hospital longer, like pain and risk of infection. "With
laparoscopy, patients' pain is less and their recovery is so much quick-
er," says Dr. Anvari.
Laparoscopic surgery isn't the only thing contributing to faster
recoveries. Advancements in anesthesia have meant that patients can
C O L E C T O M Y
