The main objective of this study was to determine the rate of outpatient management in a population of patients undergoing bilateral ethmoidectomy. The secondary objectives were to evaluate the quality of outpatient management (rate of unscheduled overnight admission, readmission rate, complications) and to compare inpatient and outpatient groups to determine which elements of the phenotype and care pathway favored outpatient management.

A single-center observational study included 204 patients operated on for bilateral ethmoidectomy. Study variables comprised: type of care pathway (outpatient/inpatient), outpatient quality indicators (unscheduled admission, readmission, complications), care pathway, and population characteristics.

One hundred and twenty (58.8%) outpatients were operated on. No deaths occurred. The unscheduled admission rate was 7.5%, and the readmission rate 4.1%; at the P<0.005 threshold, there were no significant differences between in- and out-patient groups. Outpatients had earlier surgery (P<0.005), and nasal packing rates and pain on VAS were lower (P<0.005).

Ethmoidectomy could be carried out as an outpatient procedure in 58.8% of cases, with acceptable quality of care. Selection of patients and the organization of a dedicated care pathway seem to be elements favoring this management.