Methods
A systematic search of PubMed, EMBASE and Cochrane library was done with no restriction on publication date (January 2021). The following search strategy was used: ((nasal surgery OR sinus surgery OR FESS OR endoscopic sinus surgery OR functional endoscopic sinus surgery OR septoplasty OR septal surgery OR turbinoplasty OR turbinectomy OR turbinate reduction OR SMD OR submucosal diathermy OR polypectomy OR uvulopalatoplasty OR uvuloplasty OR uvulopalatopharyngoplasty OR supraglottoplasty) AND (apnoea OR apnea OR hypopnoea OR hypopnea) AND (day case OR day-case OR daycase OR ambulatory OR outpatient OR discharge)).
Title and abstract from the initial search were screened independently by two authors (ETT, OE) according to eligibility criteria (Table 1), and full-text articles were retrieved accordingly and assessed further. See Table 1 for definitions of individual terms used for the study. Any discrepancies on study eligibility were discussed among two authors (ETT, OE) and a consensus reached. References from included full-text articles were screened to identify further eligible studies.
A standardized data collection proforma was used and this was piloted on two studies) and revised accordingly. Subsequent data collection was performed by one author (ETT) and the verification of data accuracy was performed by another author (WSL). The following data items were collected: Study characteristics, population demographics including severity of OSA, type of surgery performed, anaesthetic and/or surgical techniques if reported, length of follow-up, reported outcomes and complications. Our main outcomes were the proportion of daycase discharges in these studies and any respiratory events/complications that were reported in the follow-up period in each study.
The risk of bias in the included studies was assessed using Murad’s tool (5).
Due to the heterogeneity of the included studies, we did not perform a meta-analysis.
This review protocol was registered with PROSPERO database (CRD42021273451). No ethical approval was needed due to the nature of the study. PRISMA reporting guideline was used in preparation of the manuscript.