The present study evaluated patients′ functional outcomes two weeks after a 23-h surgery model in a tertiary care hospital.

It comprised data on 993 consecutive adult patients who underwent a 23-h surgery. The study interviewed the Patients before surgery and 14 days after surgery by telephone with a multidimensional structural survey including closed- and open-ended questions. For functional outcomes, it requested patients to assess their general well-being, energy levels, and activities of daily living on a 5-point numeric rating scale (1 = poor to 5 = excellent). The study collected data on patient characteristics, medical history, alcohol use, smoking status and pre-, peri- and postoperative pain, and satisfaction with the care received. It then analyzed the data to determine whether these factors contributed to their recovery. 

The study observed-

• Moderate to excellent functional outcomes in the majority of the patients
• A score ≥ 3 on the 5-point numeric scale by 93.6% of the patients.
• 23% scored all three domains as excellent.
• A weak inverse correlation between functional recovery and most pain in the 23-h postanaesthesia care unit as well as pain at two weeks after surgery.
• A weak positive correlation between functional recovery and patient satisfaction with the instructions at discharge.

This study shows ample functional recovery at 14 days after the 23-h surgery in the majority of the patients. Higher pain scores in the postanesthesia care unit and two weeks after surgery indicates poor functional outcomes, and satisfaction with postoperative counseling anticipates better outcomes.

Ruohoaho UM, Aaltomaa S, Kokki H., et al. Patient functional recovery after a 23-h surgery — a prospective, follow-up study. Langenbecks Arch Surg. 2022;407:2133–2142. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00423-022-02502-y