Abstract
The duration of postoperative stay has been falling in recent years as more conditions are considered suitable for outpatient cure. The introduction of short stay surgery not only relieves hospital waiting lists but also represents an economic advantage and has certain social benefits for the patients. The treatment of more patients as day cases reallocates the workload, putting increased responsibility on to outpatient clinics and general practitioner and community services. It also demands careful consideration of in-hospital operative and anaesthetic techniques to speed recovery and minimize complactions.