A comparative study of patient satisfaction with day case and in-patient major ear surgery

Abstract

Introduction: Major ear surgery can be safely performed on a day case basis (i.e. six hour stay). This study aimed to ascertain whether patients had the same level of satisfaction and speed of recovery following major ear surgery when it was performed as a day case compared with performance as an in-patient procedure.Method: A cross-sectional survey, by postal questionnaire, of patient satisfaction with day case and in-patient major ear surgery was carried out with 158 patients. Comparisons were made between the responses of the two groups.Results: The response rate was 71 per cent. Patients returned to work significantly sooner following day surgery (p < 0.025) but felt their operation to be of significantly more benefit following in-patient surgery (p < 0.05).Conclusions: Patient satisfaction following day case major ear surgery is as good as that following in-patient surgery. This has supported the expansion of this service in our unit.