Ambulatory thyroid surgery : need for stricter patient selection criteria

The number of outpatient surgical procedures performed in hospitals increases daily. In some countries, outpatient operations outnumber inpatient operations. The incidence of thyroid disorders and in particular, the cancer forms, has been increasing sharply for many years in several countries. Even if thyroid surgery is performed with low morbidity, no mortality, and short operation time, some potentially lethal complications are strong arguments against shortening of hospital stay. The purpose of this review is to examine the relevant updated published results on selection criteria measures that can be used to assess patients referred to short-stay surgery for thyroid disease.