Microdiscectomía lumbar ambulatoria en el hospital de Puerto Montt: segura, alta satifacción usuaria y menor costo

Abstract

Since July 2007, the surgical treatment of lumbar herniated intervertebral disc’s radiculopathy has been part of the Chilean system of health explicit guaranties. Thereafter this treatment became priority in every neurosurgical service of the country. Objective: Compare retrospectively the results of two cohorts of patients with surgical indication for the treatment of lumbar disc prolapse selected by the protocol of outpatient lumbar microdiscetomy (OLM) of the Hospital de Puerto Montt, those who were done outpatient modality and those who were hospitalized. Methods: Patients with indication of lumbar disc surgery and lumbar microdiscetomy (LM) performed between July 2015 and February 2017 were included. Two cohorts where analyses: outpatient and hospitalized. Pain relief, complications rates, lent of stay, waiting days for surgery, costs and patient satisfaction were compered retrospectively with the patients’ records and telephonic questioner. Results: A total of 253 LM were done between July 2015 and February 2017, 126 were selected for OLM and 41 were done outpatient and 85 were hospitalized. The complication rate for ambulatory group was 4,9% and for those selected but who were hospitalized 16%. A total of 4760 USD (March 2017 value) were saved with OLM and 82 bed days were released. The patient’s satisfaction experience was equally high in both groups. Conclusion: OLM is safe and with a satisfactory experience for our patients. It decreased the bed day need, patients’ waiting time for the procedure and the system’s costs.