Should pediatric tympanomastoidectomy and cochlear implantation routinely Be performed as outpatient surgery?

BACKGROUND Ambulatory surgery has become increasingly common in otolaryngology. Cost savings, minimized exposure to hospital-acquired infections, decreased disruption to patient and family routine, and allowing children to recover in more familiar settings are some potential advantages. However, concerns about safety, postoperative symptom management, and parental satisfaction have led many practitioners to routinely admit patients for overnight observation following otologic surgery in the pediatric population. This article aimed to address whether pediatric otologic surgery, and cochlear implantation in particular, should be performed as an outpatient versus a 23-hour observation procedure.