Different Faces of Ambulatory Anaesthesia - A Reality Check of Practices

Abstract

Ambulatory anaesthesia (AA) remains an alternative to the concerns of various stakeholders about the set backs with in-patient anaesthesia and surgery. It will continue to be so especially with continued technological advancements of the present era, improved anaesthesia drugs and techniques that enhance faster recovery, faster pace of life that makes patients seek early re-union with family and return to work, as well as overall reduction in costs. Cost reduction especially is a major concern to patients, hospitals and National Health Services. In the light of these reasons and more, there are already different settings where ambulatory anaesthesia is practised wholly, or as part of its processesin patient care. This brief communication seeks to highlight those real clinical scenarios which are already with us in our different settings (faces), where AA is being practised or will be on the rise as advances in surgical and anaesthesia care with the principles of enhanced recovery increase.