A comparison of the outcome of day-care and inpatient treatment of paediatric surgical cases.

The outcome of day-care versus inpatient surgery for two equivalent groups of children is examined. Ratings were made of medical outcome, behaviour change in the children at 1 week and 3 mths post-discharge from a pre-admission criterion, convenience and subjective anxiety for parents, and relative costs of the two procedures. Results showed trends in favour of the day-care procedure. Argument is made that day-care should be the preferred option for minor surgery in young children.