Objective To evaluate the outcome after day-case ureteroscopy (used in diagnosing and managing ureteric disease, primarily urolithiasis), as awareness of reduced resources has resulted in increasing pressure to undertake procedures in a day-surgery setting. Patients and methods All patients presenting to the unit and requiring ureteroscopy between May 1995 and May 2000 were considered for a day-surgery procedure. The assessment of suitability comprised anaesthetic and social factors; no urological criteria precluded a day-surgery procedure. Outcomes after day-case ureteroscopy, including immediate or delayed admissions and subsequent inpatient management, were reviewed retrospectively. Results Sixty-three day-case ureteroscopies were performed on 56 patients (mean age 47 years, range 19±78); eight procedures were diagnostic. Therapeutic ureteroscopies included one balloon dilatation of a ureteric stricture and 54 procedures for urolithiasis, with 98% stone clearance. Most patients were discharged with a JJ stent in situ. Of nine patients requiring immediate admission, seven were for pain control; eight were discharged on the following day. Seven patients required delayed admission 1±13 days after the procedure, three for stent-related symptoms and three for infection. No signi®cant predictors of immediate or delayed admission were identi®ed, although antibiotic prophylaxis was associated with a reduced admission rate. Conclusion Ureteroscopy can be used successfully as a planned day-case procedure in a dedicated daysurgery unit, with few patients requiring hospitalization. Implementation of analgesia protocols and routine antibiotic prophylaxis may reduce admission after day-case ureteroscopy.
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