Rotator cuff repair as an outpatient procedure

The purpose of this study was to evaluate outpatient rotator cuff repair on the basis of patient satisfaction, pain control, early postoperative complications, and cost control. Patients were considered good candidates for an outpatient repair if they were in good health and had adequate support at home. Seventy-five rotator cuff repairs were performed on an outpatient basis. The average age of the patients was 58 years. Patients with tears smaller than 2 cm in diameter were excluded. Postoperative pain was managed effectively in 74 of 75 outpatients. There were no cases of deltoid origin compromise, deep infection, or early failure of repair, and no outpatient required readmission to the hospital. This study demonstrates that outpatient rotator cuff repair is possible in the appropriately selected patient and can be performed safely and effectively with a 43% reduction in overall cost. (J Shoulder Elbow Surg 2000;9:27-30.)