Unplanned admission rates and postdischarge complications in patients over the age of 70 following day case surgery

The elderly are a group of patients who would seem ideally suited to day surgery. However, age was initially regarded as a potential barrier to this process. We conducted a retrospective review of 1647 elderly patients (> 70 years of age) over a two-year period. Our results show a favourable outcome for these patients with low rates of unplanned admission and postoperative complications. Elderly patients seem to be at no increased risk of complications after day surgery, and show excellent satisfaction scores.