Selection, thirty day outcome and costs for short stay endovascular aortic aneurysm repair (SEVAR).

BACKGROUND: Endovascular aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR) offers the potential for a reduced hospital stay. The aim of this study was to identify patients suitable for short stay EVAR (SEVAR) with a single night in hospital and document their outcome.

METHOD: Patients for EVAR were assessed prospectively for SEVAR over a 21-month period using UK Day Surgery Guidelines. Joint anaesthetic and surgical approval were necessary for these patients to be included in this vascular pathway. Patients were admitted on the day of surgery with a designated care protocol for discharge the day after.

RESULTS: 101 patients were assessed for SEVAR. 33 (33%) patients met the criteria for SEVAR and 27 of these (81%) were successfully discharged one day post-operatively. Total SEVAR median LOS was one day (IQR = 0) versus four days (IQR = 2) for the standard EVAR group (P < 0.0001) reducing costs from £13,360 (CI = ±1074) to £9844 (CI = ±628). Increased utilisation of SEVAR during the study period led to reduced overall average EVAR costs, £12,102(CI = ±795) to £10,330(CI = ±757).

CONCLUSION: SEVAR protocol reduces hospital stay for selected patients. The outcomes from a larger cohort of such patients require further study. This would identify whether SEVAR could be expanded to more patients.