Age as a predictive factor for in-patient admission following day-case shoulder arthroscopic sub-acromial decompression - a district general hospital audit.

INTRODUCTION: Admission following day-case surgery can be problematic for both the patient and the health service. The purpose of this study was to identify any factors predictive of admission following arthroscopic sub-acromial decompression (ASAD) of the shoulder planned as day-case procedures.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: A postal questionnaire provided data for 27 patients undergoing ASAD as a day-case procedure between June 2002 and June 2004.

RESULTS: Eighteen (66.7%) questionnaires were returned. Of respondents, 38.9% (mean age, 58 years) felt the procedure required in-patient admission due to postoperative pain. These patients had an older mean age than those (61.1%) content with a day-case procedure (mean age, 49 years; P = 0.04). Of patients 55 years and older, 67% felt that the procedure should have an in-patient admission due to postoperative pain compared to 11% of patients under the age of 55 years (P = 0.04).

CONCLUSIONS: Patient age may be useful as a predictor of the likelihood of postoperative admission for pain control following day-case shoulder surgery and should be taken into account when planning day case lists.