Which specialty accounts for the largest share of procedures in ambulatory surgery centers?

Which specialty accounts for the largest share of procedures in ambulatory surgery centers?

• A. Ophthalmology 30%
• B. Gastrointestinal 14%
• C. Orthopedics 15%
• D. Plastic 8%

Answer: (A)

Ophthalmology leads ASC procedure volume because cataract surgery is a quick, highly standardized, day-only procedure that can be performed under local anesthesia with rapid recovery. This combination allows a high number of cases to be scheduled and completed in a single day, driving a large share of total ASC activity. In the data shown, about 30% of procedures are ophthalmology, while other specialties—such as orthopedics, GI, and plastic surgery—tend to involve longer or more resource-intensive cases, resulting in smaller shares.

Ophthalmology leads ASC procedure volume because cataract surgery is a quick, highly standardized, day-only procedure that can be performed under local anesthesia with rapid recovery. This combination allows a high number of cases to be scheduled and completed in a single day, driving a large share of total ASC activity. In the data shown, about 30% of procedures are ophthalmology, while other specialties—such as orthopedics, GI, and plastic surgery—tend to involve longer or more resource-intensive cases, resulting in smaller shares.