An investigation into patient morbidity following oral day case surgery

Abstract

Aim: To investigate morbidity following oral day case surgery. Methods: 50 patients attending for day stay surgical removal of impacted mandibular third molar teeth completed a nurse led telephone questionnaire at 24hrs.,3 days and 7 days post surgery to characterise their experiences. Results: 48 patients responded at 24hrs., but this fell to 41 at day 3 and to 30 by day 7. Whilst there was a general improvement in post-operative pain, nausea, headache, sore throat and difficulty sleeping during the study period, day 3 was associated with increased pain experience, a need for 'additional' analgesia, disturbed sleep due to pain and an increase in patients seeking 'additional' medical advice. Overall. 74% of respondents felt their day case experience was 'better than' or 'as expected' with return to normal activity taking around 5 days. Conclusion: Recognition of the need for improved pain management, particularly around the third post-operative day, and the wide range of additional morbidities consequent upon oral surgery has helped develop our clinical and nursing practices to improve the quality of ambulatory care for these patients.