A WOMAN in her 60s is the first in the region to receive a full hip replacement in just one day.

On April 28 Vanessa De Rycker was admitted to hospital at 8am for the large operation, and was back home by 7pm. 

Conducted at Salisbury District Hospital, the Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust says this is the first time such a procedure has been completed within a day in the Wessex region, and one of very few in the country.

Despite feeling “sceptical” at first, Vanessa, aged 67, said she was “very pleased” to be discharged on the same day, praising the “excellent care and efficiency” of everyone involved.

“The operation was carried out under epidural and sedation, so I was pain-free and in a pleasant cosy snooze and only minimally aware of the process of surgery,” she said.

“The surgeon proposed same day discharge in recovery while my legs were still numb and immobile, so I was sceptical at first.

“However, I regained enough movement for me to complete the physiotherapy assessment and walk with crutches, including up and down practice stairs.”

According to Ivor Vanhegan, who led the surgery, the team has had success in other day-long cases, including ligament reconstruction and partial knee replacement, but this new development would help in reducing average recovery time at the hospital.

Talking about the process he said: "It started before the patient came through the theatre doors. We carefully assessed the patient to make sure she was suitable and that she had all the right equipment and support at home.

"When she arrived the whole team was well prepared to avoid delays and knew that as long as the procedure went according to plan the lady would be home that very same day."

A surgeon, anaesthetist, theatre nurses, post-operative recovery carers, pharmacists and physiotherapists were just some of the staff who made Vanessa's one-day feat a success.

On leaving the hospital Vanessa said: “By early evening my husband came to collect me, and we travelled home in the car where I settled down for a celebratory non-alcoholic beer.

“I have been pain-free and try to ensure that I keep moving during the day as much as possible. It has made such a difference being able to go home and I am sure that my recovery will benefit from that.”

Describing the effort as “fabulous”, Mr Vanhegan said: “The beauty of being able to deliver this type of surgery in a day is that the patient has a better experience as they are able to recuperate in the comfort of their own home. 

“It also reduces pressure on our hospital staff by reducing the number of people staying overnight.

“The benefit of achieving this goal will be felt by all orthopaedic patients as the full team have learnt so much and are now embedding these ways of working.

“Hopefully through an assessment process we will identify more suitable hip or full knee replacement patients and can move towards this becoming part of normal practice."

Chief medical officer Dr Peter Collins added: "This is a great achievement and done at a time when the hospital is incredibly busy. 

"Successes like this will help hospital services achieve full recovery post-Covid, reduce waiting times for treatment and ease pressure across the hospital. It’s great news."

Get more Salisbury news. 

You can also like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter and Instagram to stay up to date, as well as signing up for one of our newsletters.

If you want online news with fewer ads, unlimited access and reader rewards - plus a chance to support our local journalism - find out more about registering or a digital subscription.

Email newsdesk@salisburyjournal.co.uk with your comments, pictures, letters and news stories.