Analysis of the efficacy of pediatric day surgery.

OBJECTIVES To assess the efficacy and safety of a pediatric day surgery program and its benefits to the child and family. DESIGN A review and analysis of prospectively gathered data. SETTING The Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO), a university-affiliated pediatric centre with a referral base of 2.5 million people. PATIENTS All children undergoing day surgery at CHEO during the 5 years between 1992 and 1997. INTERVENTIONS All surgical procedures performed on a day surgery basis. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Procedures performed, complications and unexpected admissions. RESULTS An average of 4,899 children per year underwent surgical procedures in the ambulatory day surgery program. The 4 commonest procedures performed were myringotomy, tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy, dental procedures, and inguinal hernia repair. The majority of children were between 2 and 7 years of age. Complications were few, averaging 1.6% per year, with postoperative bleeding, primarily secondary to tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy, being the most common. None resulted in permanent disability and there were no deaths. CONCLUSIONS Pediatric day surgery is a safe and cost-effective program that benefits the child, the family and the pediatric surgical program.