Day surgery for all: Updated selection criteria

SummaryIncreasing experience has led to a considerable broadening of the selection criteria for day surgery. It is important to consider the impact of the planned procedure on the patient as a whole and not to rely on a series of somewhat arbitrary cut-offs.Day surgery is now seen as the treatment of choice for a wide range of operative procedures. It is no longer acceptable to choose only the fittest patients with the intention of minimising all peri-operative complications. Instead, day surgery should be seen as the default option, with inpatient care considered only if it will add significant benefit to the patient's treatment. This will usually be in situations where delayed complications are likely or where the patient's safety would be compromised by early discharge.Preoperative assessment is important, not to eliminate all risk, but to ensure that all co-morbidities are known, their treatment is optimised and the patient is well informed and adequately prepared for their surgery. For the more challenging day case patients, it can also ensure that the most appropriately skilled surgeons and anaesthetists are available on the chosen day of surgery.