Surgery used to be a big deal.

But in the early 1970s, surgery in the U.S. changed. Ambulatory surgery, also known as same-day surgery or outpatient surgery, was introduced and it altered the way doctors and patients look at surgical options.

Today, certain procedures are routinely carried out in an outpatient or same-day setting for patients who are relatively healthy but need specific procedures. Douglas Merrill, MD, medical director, Ambulatory Surgical Center at UI Hospitals and Clinics, says the combination of good patient health and the newest outpatient surgery techniques means patients can return home the same day as the surgery and comfortably recover with their family rather than in a hospital.

If you’re considering surgery, ask your surgeon if the procedure is a good candidate for ambulatory surgery. If your surgeon thinks ambulatory surgery is right for you, your health care history will be reviewed and may include a visit with your primary care physician to ensure that all your health issues are addressed prior to surgery.

Pediatric ambulatory surgery

Children react to the stress of prospective surgery like adults.

But, unlike with adults, providing logical explanations doesn’t make it any less stressful.

Douglas Merrill, MD, says the nursing and anesthesia staff use various techniques to help children deal with surgery. “Patience is the key. Our anesthesiologists reassure both the children and their parents. Using frontier-breaking technology, we’re able to use local anesthetics so children wake up feeling good and not as distressed.”

Going home

Your surgery went well, and now you’re ready to go home.

• Do you have someone to drive or escort you home?
• Do you have someone to stay with you and care for you for a minimum of 24 hours?

Anne Beckman of Davenport, Iowa, was one of the first patients to use the new UI Ambulatory Surgery Center. She underwent corneal transplant surgery.