Same day discharge for benign laparoscopic hiatal surgery: a feasibility analysis.

BACKGROUND: Advances in minimally invasive surgery and the development of enhanced recovery pathways have favored the spread of day-surgery programs. Despite laparoscopic approaches being accepted as the standard of care for benign hiatal diseases, safety and feasibility of same day discharges for laparoscopic hiatal surgeries other than fundoplication has yet to be established. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the feasibility of same day discharge for primary and revisional laparoscopic hiatal surgeries including paraesophageal hernia repairs (PEHR), fundoplication for reflux, and Heller myotomy (±diverticulectomy). METHODS: A retrospective cohort study including all patients undergoing elective laparoscopic hiatal procedures in the division of Thoracic surgery between 2011 and 2016 at McGill University Health Centre was performed. Planned day-surgery (DAYCASE) was compared to planned inpatient (INPATIENT) cohorts with respect to operative and postoperative outcomes, length of stay, readmission, and emergency room visits. RESULTS: A total of 261 patients were identified, 161 female (62%); median age 62 (20). The case distribution was: PEHR (123; 47.1%), Heller myotomy (94;36%, 7 diverticulectomy), and fundoplication (44; 16.9%). Twenty patients had revisional procedures (7.7%). Same day discharge was planned in 98 cases (38%) and was successful in 80 (81.6%). Proportion of DAYCASE increased form 12% prior to 2013 to 67% in 2016. INPATIENTs were older (median 66 vs. 60 years), and had a higher proportion of PEHR (55 vs. 34%), p < 0.05. Both cohorts were comparable in gender proportion, ASA classification, and length of surgery. Complications, readmission, and emergency visits did not differ between the two cohorts. On multivariate analysis, female gender (OR 37, 95% CI 1.46-936, p = 0.028), surgery beginning after noon (OR 5.4, 95% CI 1.1-26.9, p = 0.038), intraoperative complications (OR 20.4 95% CI 1.5-286, p = 0.025), and postoperative complications (OR 52.1, 95% CI 4.5-602, p = 0.002) were independently associated with unplanned admission. CONCLUSIONS: Day-case surgery for complex laparoscopic hiatal procedures is feasible and can be achieved in a significant number of patients without compromising safety.