Outpatient pelvic laparotomy.

A population of generally healthy women underwent a variety of reproductive operations by pelvic laparotomy at an ambulatory surgical center. The techniques and safety of this approach are described. Of the 373 women, one experienced a major complication (ureteral injury), which was treated in the surgicenter. The patient recovered in the hospital, with no late adverse outcome. Two other women were hospitalized for intravenous fluid therapy because of persistent nausea and vomiting. No patients required blood transfusion or reoperation. Four women had minor complications that were treated outside the hospital. The rate of hospitalization was 0.8%; of major complications, 0.3%; of minor complications, 1.6%; and of total complications, 1.9%. In this population, 98% of the patients had no complication, and 99% did not need hospital care. Thus, outpatient pelvic laparotomy was found to be safe and cost effective.