Anaesthesia for day care surgery, patient selection, evaluation, preoperative preparation and selection of drugs.

Paediatric patients are a challenge to the anaesthetist because of their specific differences in behaviour, physiology, pharmacology, congenital anomalies and pathology. The number of day care paediatric patients show a steady increase. It is important that anticipated anaesthetic problems are solved or prevented by a good preoperative evaluation and preparation. Adequate psychological preparation and parental presence on induction and recovery have been shown to be a very good, if not the best premedication especially for toddlers. Relaxation of fluid restriction has led to more cooperation of the paediatric patient. Provided physicians, anaesthetists, surgeons and nurses share the same positive view on day care surgery, the facility will be greatly appreciated by both children and their parents.