Young woman operated on was discharged the same day and cared for at home (photo: Can Ruti hospital)
A HOSPITAL in the province of Barcelona has successfully carried out Spain's first-ever outpatient stomach reduction operation.
The General and Digestive Surgery at the Germans Trias i Pujol centre in Badalona – a hospital better known as 'Can Ruti' – conducted a vertical robotic gastrectomy on a young woman diagnosed as 'morbidly obese'.
Just hours after surgery, she was able to go home.
She was not left to her own devices, though – Can Ruti's 'home hospital' service visited her frequently to monitor her progress and control any pain she may have been suffering.
The procedure forms part of Can Ruti's drive to 'redefine surgical circuits' by coordinating with the 'home hospital' wing, and is 'a launchpad for a new approach' to operations, according to the centre.
It is expected to bring about a paradigm shift which could eventually see surgery waiting lists cut if it takes off nationwide – even fairly complex operations need not involve admission, as all post-op care will be provided at home, freeing up beds.
The young woman went into theatre on Tuesday, April 6, but her case has only just been reported, as Can Ruti wanted to ensure the process had been a complete success and the patient had fully recovered.
