PROFILE OF HALF-DAY ARTHROSCOPIC SURGERY IN A DISTRICT GENERAL-HOSPITAL

The first 50 patients who underwent arthroscopic surgery as a half-day procedure in Doncaster Royal Infirmary were studied: 22 patients underwent an arthroscopoic meniscectomy and 6 patinets had other procedures. The mean return-to-work time for meniscectomy patients was 23.9 days. The cost improvement per patient, when compared with a two-night stay in hospital, was 432.84 pounds per patient. Not only is this a comparatively comfortable operation for the patient, but a rapid return to work is possible. The saving to the Department of Health and Social Security, when assessed on a national scale, could be very considerable.