[Ambulatory ocular surgery].

Abstract

Out-patient ocular surgery exists in numerous countries and is currently making its debut in France. The authors note, from a series of 286 out-patients lens implantation operations, that the rate of complications does not significantly differ from that of in-patient procedures. These figures corroborate the results published in the United-States. The procedures applies only to motivated patients in good health and non-handicapped who well understand instructions. The selection of patients is done with the concurrence of the anesthesiologist. The anesthesia is local, occasionally preceded by a suitable sedative. The procedure takes place in an adapted surgical center of which there are several types. The check-out of the patient is within one to four hours after the operation. The constraints posed by equipment and facilities are significant since the responsibility dwells at all times with the surgeon. Caution must be exercised in all phases. The economic advantages of out-patient ocular surgery are not obvious in the current managerial context all the more so because the investment (in equipment and facilities) is costly. Nonetheless, a desired positive secondary effect would be the freeing of hospital beds for other uses. As a parallel, out-patient ocular surgery responds to a new patients demand to be treated rapidly and in an up-to-date manner (both medically and in terms of reception, waiting periods and check-out). The quality of the all procedure is increased.