Outpatient Submaxillectomy Using Active Drains. Safety of the Procedure and Patient Satisfaction

Abstract

Surgical interventions on an outpatient basis are defined as those procedures in which the patient is discharged the same day of the surgery after monitoring the subject during the immediate postoperative period. Submaxillectomies have conventionally been performed on an inpatient basis, and hospital stay was determined by the drain removal. This study aims to establish both safety and patient satisfaction following outpatient submaxillectomies using active drains. Fifteen patients between March 2016 and March 2020 underwent submaxillectomies using active drains in an outpatient basis. No patient had to be readmitted, and there were no complications that could be associated with the outpatient basis of this procedure, showing the safety of this surgical regimen. Patient satisfaction degree was high, with 86.7% of the patients declaring low or no pain as well as appropriate hospital stay. Most of the patients stated that they would accept the surgery in an outpatient basis once again. The performance of an outpatient submandibular gland removal is a safe and well-accepted procedure by the patient.