Key result
UK survey reveals ~85% of day surgical units routinely anesthetize patients with BMI over 30.
Why the study?
The Royal College of Surgeons guidelines deem patients with BMI > 30 unsuitable for day case surgery, but current practice may differ nationally.
Cross-Sectional
Yes
Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.
Supports feasibility of day-case surgery up to BMI 34; challenges outdated guidelines but leaves open need for prospective validation.
In March 1992, the Royal College of Surgeons issued Guidelines for Day Case Surgery. Patients with a body mass index (BMI) > 30 were deemed unsuitable for operations to be performed as a day case. Since these guidelines were issued, many changes have occurred. Two years ago we successfully increased the BMI limit for patients undergoing general anaesthesia in our day surgery unit from 30 to 34. The success of this led us to question the current validity of the Royal College of Surgeons guidelines. A postal questionnaire was conducted surveying current practice in day surgical units within the UK. We achieved a 96% response rate. The results demonstrated a range of acceptable BMI values, with 85% of units anaesthetising patients with a BMI > 30. We conclude that many day case units routinely anaesthetise patients with BMI values > 30. Therefore, the current guidelines, which were issued 9 years ago, are no longer being adhered to nationally.
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White et al. (2002) conducted a cross-sectional in Day case surgery. Body mass index (BMI) > 30 was evaluated on Proportion of units anaesthetising patients with a BMI > 30. A national survey of UK day surgical units found that 85% routinely anaesthetise patients with a BMI > 30, contrary to previous guidelines.
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