Patients' perspective on day case breast surgery.

BACKGROUND: This study assessed the views of patients undergoing breast surgery for breast cancer with a planned overnight stay, asking whether they would be happy to be discharged home on the same day of surgery. METHODS: A structured questionnaire sent out in the 6 weeks following surgery was used to ascertain the patients' views. RESULTS: The majority of patients undergoing mastectomy and axillary node clearance preferred an overnight stay, primarily for psychological reasons. CONCLUSIONS: Patients undergoing breast-conserving surgery were more prepared to go home on the day of surgery.