Same-day surgeries are becoming an increasingly popular option in many areas of medicine, including orthopedics. These types of outpatient procedures – also known as ambulatory surgery – offer patients a number of benefits over traditional inpatient surgeries, including greater convenience, lower costs, and the ability to recover within the comfort of your own home.
Criteria for Same-Day Surgery
Many surgical and diagnostic procedures can now be performed on an outpatient basis, and modern, short-acting anesthetics help facilitate quicker recovery and discharge from the facility. All surgical procedures are considered on an individual basis to ensure the health and well-being of the patient, because not every patient or every type of surgery is suitable for same-day surgery.
Common Types of Outpatient Surgery
The most common procedures that can be carried out as same-day surgeries include the following:
Arthroscopy
Arthroscopic surgery is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that is used to view, diagnose, and treat joint problems. It allows surgeons to fully view the joint without making large incisions, thereby posing fewer surgical risks and complications while also offering a quicker recovery.
This procedure involves inserting a tiny metal tube which has a built-in light and fiber-optic video camera (an arthroscope) through a very small incision in the skin. The images are then transmitted real-time to a high-definition video monitor there in the operating room, allowing the surgeon view and work on the joint.
Certain types of joint damage can be repaired during arthroscopy, such as removing small shards of loose bone, removing bone spurs, repairing injured cartilage, and repairing torn ligaments and tendons. Arthroscopy is often used to evaluate and/or treat joint conditions and injuries that affect the hip, knee, shoulder, elbow, ankle, and wrist.
Laparoscopy
A laparoscopy is performed to examine and treat certain conditions that affect the organs inside the abdomen and pelvis. A laparoscope is a long, thin, flexible tube with a light and camera function that relays images to a video monitor for the surgeon.
The surgery involves a surgeon inserting the laparoscope, along with small surgical tools, through very small incisions. Like arthroscopy, it causes less trauma to the body, less post-op pain, reduced scarring, and a faster recovery time than traditional open surgical procedures.
Laparoscopy is frequently used to diagnose and treat a variety of conditions including hernias, gynecological (female reproductive system) problems, gastroenterological (digestive system) conditions, and urological (urinary and male reproductive system) issues.
Colonoscopy
This is considered primarily a diagnostic procedure and secondarily (as necessary) a surgical procedure to view the inside of the large intestine and to remove any polyps that are found. The procedure employs a colonoscope, which is very similar to an endoscope.
The tube is inserted into the rectum to inspect the inside lining of the entire colon. A colonoscopy is most frequently used as a screening tool for cancer, polyps, and diseases inside the colon and rectum. A colonoscopy also checks for rectal cancer, which is a highly aggressive type of cancer.
Vertebroplasty/Kyphoplasty
Vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty procedures are used to treat spinal compression fractures which often result from conditions such as osteoporosis. Both procedures aim to provide stabilization and strength to the cracked vertebra by injecting a special cement into the fracture. If you have a fractured vertebra, you and your doctor can discuss which one is better in your situation.
Total Joint Replacement
Believe it or not, several types of total joint replacement (arthroplasty) surgeries are now being done via same-day surgery. This operation involves removing part or all of a damaged joint and replacing it with artificial implants (prosthetics).
This surgery can alleviate pain and improve function of the joint, and it may be used to treat advanced arthritis or an injury. Knee and hip replacements are often done via same-day surgery.
Other Same-Day Surgeries
Other types of outpatient surgery can include setting fractures, tonsillectomy, adenoidectomy, and minor cosmetic surgery procedures.
Ambulatory Surgical Center in North Naples, Florida
North Naples Surgery Center is an ultramodern ambulatory surgical center designed to offer patients treatment with the latest medical technology and a highly qualified and skilled medical staff. We are conveniently located in the Executive Medical Center, which is currently under construction and is on schedule for opening in February 2021.
If you would like to find out more about North Naples Surgery Center, or if you are a doctor who is interested in obtaining privileges, call us at (239) 431-6042. We look forward to seeing you.
