Anesthesia for pediatric day-surgery.

Five years anesthetic experience of children undergoing day-surgery is reviewed. There were 1278 patients, including 176 infants, having general surgical procedures. Most operations were performed in the afternoon. Subsequently, 104 patients (8.1%) remained in hospital overnight, and of these, 15 were detained for anesthetic reasons. No serious complications were seen. The preoperative anesthetic preparation, general anesthesia, and postoperative care are described. Reasons for subsequent admission are detailed with specific reference to anesthesia. Most limitations placed on the selection of children for day-surgery are unnecessary. Age, distance from hospital, timing of operation, and expected intubation should not be critical factors determining selection of patients.