Outpatient thyroid surgery effective

AUGUSTA, Ga., April 6 (UPI) -- Thyroid surgery, traditionally an overnight hospital procedure, can be done safely in an outpatient setting, according to a U.S. study.

Researchers at the Medical College of Georgia in Augusta, Ga., observed 91 patients undergoing thyroid surgery during an 11-month period. Of the 52 patients who had the procedure done on an outpatient basis, only two experienced complications, compared with one in the hospital setting, according to the study published in the issue of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery.

In addition, the average cost of outpatient surgery was $7,814, compared with $10,288 for an inpatient stay, the study said.