Objective: The aim of the present study was to determine if laryngeal microsurgery (LMS) under general anesthesia is a safe and convenient procedure when carried out on an outpatient basis in selected patients.
Material and methods: Seventy-eight adult patients (60 men and 18 women) were scheduled for outpatient LMS under general anesthesia between February 1995 and December 1996.
Results: Their age range was 19 to 77 years (mean 48 years). Forty-four (56.4%) were ASA I, 32 (41%) ASA II, and 2 (2.6%) ASA III. Laryngeal biopsy was performed in 40 cases (51.3%), polypectomy in 30 cases (38.5%), excision of Reinke's edema in 5 cases (6.4%), and cyst excision in 3 cases (3.8%). The mean stay in the Day Hospital was 7 hours (range 2.5-10 h). Seven patients (9%) had immediate postoperative complications. Three patients were admitted overnight. No patient had to be readmitted to the hospital after discharge.
Conclusions: Outpatient laryngeal microsurgery is an appropriate and safe alternative to inpatient surgery in carefully selected patients, who are kept under strict observation in the immediate postoperative period.