Recent research studies in the healthcare industry have shown a changing trend where patients are undergoing more outpatient surgeries than in the past. Some of these studies have not been able to explain the reasons behind this increase, but a big factor is the advancements that have come about in the medical industry. Here are some examples of outpatient surgeries.
Minuscular Repair
The meniscus is the tissue that plays the role of a shock absorber on the knees of a person. There is a high probability that individuals can tear this muscle regardless of their age. However, individuals involved in sports record higher cases of meniscus problems as compared to other individuals. A surgeon can perform a simple procedure of repairing or removing the damaged part in the outpatient department.
Skin Therapy
A significant number of skin therapies don’t require hospital stays as they are simple procedures that can be done in the outpatient department. Some of these procedures include correcting of wrinkles, sagging skins, and removal of scars, all of which are done by the use of laser resurfacing technology. The majority of skin therapies are painless, and they don’t require additional medical follow-up, which clearly explains why they are classified as cosmetic surgeries.
Nerve Treatments
It is common for some of the individuals to have compressed nerves around the chest, hands, or even legs which causes much pain. An example of nerve compression is the carpal tunnel, which causes the hand to become numb. It is often expected that the nerves will relax after some few minutes. However, if the situation does not change, small outpatient surgery is done to relieve pressure.
Circumcision as an Outpatient Procedure
Circumcision is a small surgical procedure that involves removal of the foreskin, which covers the tips of the penis. It is a common cultural practice in various parts of the world that can be done quickly in the outpatient department with the use of simple equipment such as portable surgical lights. The advantage of using this type of lighting system is that it can be moved from one room to another while performing simple surgeries.
This procedure can be done to both newborn and adults. However, the age at which this simple cosmetic surgery is done mostly depends on culture and other medical complexities. There are trained obstetricians and pediatricians who can efficiently perform circumcision to the newborn babies with the written consent of baby’s parents. For older adults, circumcision surgery is undertaken as an outpatient procedure where circumcised individuals can go home on the same day.
Health Benefits of Circumcision
The primary benefits of circumcision are that it is an important cultural practice that improves men’s health. There are a significant number of health issues that are reduced or permanently eliminated when one undergoes this surgery. Some of these diseases include the prevention of balanitis, decreased risk of urinary tract infection, reduced risk of sexually transmitted diseases, protection against penile cancer, and reduced risk of cervical cancerous cells in female sex partners.
How is Circumcision Performed
Trained and skilled personnel such as family medicine doctors, urologists, pediatricians, and obstetricians can perform circumcision with ease. Any person undergoing circumcision, whether a newborn or adults, is required to sleep on their backs. An anesthetic injection is given to numb the penis and the surrounding region, which helps in reducing pain. This is followed by cutting the skin using the preferred method of circumcisions such as Mogen clamp and Gomco clamp depending on the preference. The foreskin is then removed by cutting precisely to prevent excess bleeding. Circumcision surgical procedure is known to take between 15 and 30 minutes.
Follow-up and Recovery
After circumcision, a physician provides the necessary drugs to heal the wound within the shortest time possible. Painkillers are also provided to minimize pain, especially after anesthetic injection lowers its effectiveness. There are other antibiotics that a physician is expected to provide so that external factors such as bacteria and other microorganisms can be prevented from interfering with the healing process. By this time, the area around the penis that has been cut is covered and treated with wound healing antibiotics. In situations where no complications have occurred, newborn babies are expected to heal within seven days while adults can take up to 10 and 12 days.
There are many benefits to outpatient procedures. You do not have to go to the hospital and stay for days, and the cost is much less. As new advances happen in the medical field, you will see more and more procedures done in a medical office setting.
