Laparoscopic hiatal hernia repair as same day surgery: Feasibility, short-term outcomes and costs.

Gutierrez, Rigoberto; Neill, Colleen O'; Khanna, Anshu; Miller, Andre; Banki, Farzaneh

INTRODUCTION Laparoscopic hiatal hernia repair is commonly performed with 1 night hospitalization. The aim was to assess repairs as same-day-surgery (SDS). METHODS Costs/short-term outcomes of SDS were compared to hospital-stay < 24-h: observation (OBS) and hospital-stay ≥ 24-h: inpatient (INP). Outcomes were assessed by postoperative 30-day ER visits/readmissions. RESULTS There were 262 procedures, excluding 50 reoperative repairs, 212 procedures were included: There were 66 SDS, 65 OBS and 81 INP. SDS vs. OBS: OBS were older, had higher ASA, less type I and more type III and IV hernias. Costs were significantly less in the SDS group with no difference in post-operative ER visits/post-discharge readmissions. SDS vs. INP: INP were older, had higher ASA, less type I and more type III and IV hernias. Costs were significantly less in the SDS group with no difference in post-operative ER visits/post-discharge readmissions. CONCLUSION Laparoscopic hiatal hernia repair can be performed as SDS in majority of elective repairs with good short-term outcomes and reduced cost.