Same-day surgery

Outpatient spine surgery in Annapolis

Many spine operations no longer need a hospital stay. At an ambulatory surgery center you have your procedure, walk the same day and recover in your own home.

Short answer: Outpatient (same-day) spine surgery is done at an ambulatory surgery center (ASC), and you go home a few hours afterward. Dr. Patton led Luminis Health's move of appropriate spine cases to the ASC. Today a large share of his surgeries, including microdiscectomy, laminectomy, ACDF, cervical disc replacement, kyphoplasty and selected minimally invasive fusions, are performed this way.

Procedures commonly done as same-day surgery

Why patients prefer it

  • Recover at home, with familiar surroundings and better sleep
  • A focused, efficient surgical team and schedule
  • Lower infection exposure than an inpatient stay
  • Typically lower costs for patients and insurers

Who qualifies

Candidates are generally in good overall health, are having a procedure suited to same-day discharge, and have an adult who can stay with them the first night. Dr. Patton and the anesthesia team review every case. If the hospital is the safer setting for you, that's where your surgery will be.

Your day of surgery

  1. Check in, meet the anesthesia team, and review your plan
  2. Surgery, often one to two hours
  3. Recovery room, walking, and eating and drinking
  4. Home the same day with written instructions and a direct line to the team

Frequently asked questions

Is outpatient spine surgery safe?

For carefully selected patients and procedures, outcomes at ambulatory surgery centers compare well with the hospital. Selection is the key: your health, the procedure and your support at home all factor in.

Who isn't a candidate for same-day spine surgery?

Patients with significant heart, lung or sleep-apnea issues, those needing larger reconstructions, or those without help at home for the first night may be better served in the hospital.

How is pain controlled after outpatient surgery?

Dr. Patton uses a multimodal, opioid-minimizing approach: local anesthetic, scheduled non-opioid medications, and short-term prescription medicine only when needed.

Ready to talk about your options?

Call (410) 268-8862 or book online. Bring your most recent MRI — online scheduling requires one from the past 12 months.

Schedule onlineCall (410) 268-8862