Measuring Outcomes in Ambulatory Surgery

The list of ambulatory procedures has grown considerably in the last half century. Colorectal procedures are particularly amenable to the ambulatory setting because of the volume of cases, minimally invasive techniques employed, and relatively quick recovery. Although we know that colon and rectal surgeons perform an increasing number of anorectal and endoscopic procedures in ambulatory surgery centers, useful metrics for outcomes assessment are lacking in this arena. In this review, we have summarized the data regarding outcomes assessment in ambulatory colorectal surgery, delineated the complexities of outcomes measurement, and suggested strategies for future assessment.