Home next day: early discharge of children following appendicectomy.

In a prospective study of 410 children who had a non-perforated appendix removed, the mean postoperative stay was 46 hours and 80% of patients were discharged within 48 hours. Twenty-two patients were readmitted, but neither the temperature of the…

This cohort evaluation investigated the discharge of 15 children within 12 to 24 hours following an uncomplicated appendicectomy who were subsequently supported by an outreach nurse. By monitoring the child's progress, providing the support the…

OBJECTIVE: To confirm that "day-care" appendicectomy is safe in children. DESIGN: Prospective study. SETTINGS: Paediatric hospitals, Brazil. SUBJECTS: 144 children who required removal of the appendix. INTERVENTIONS: Standard muscle splitting…

BACKGROUND: Ketamine has an opioid sparing effect following surgery in adults. This study investigated whether a similar effect is seen following appendicectomy in paediatric patients. METHODS: Seventy-five ASA 1 or 2 children aged 7-16 years were…

One hundred and twenty patients with non-perforated acute appendicitis were discharged within 72 h of operation; 50 left hospital within 48 h of surgery. Criteria adopted for early discharge were: stable vital signs, active bowel sounds, ambulation…

In the past, many patients were admitted for a minimum of 72 h for split-thickness skin grafting (STSG). Several factors have caused us to discharge burn patients on the same day or within 24 h following STSG. We have reviewed outcomes of such…

BACKGROUND: This prospective questionnaire-based study examined the post-operative symptoms encountered by children who had day case surgery at a dedicated day case surgery unit. The study evaluated the postoperative symptoms at home. The parents…

Objective: To evaluate the effect of ketamine, as an adjunct to fentanyl, on postoperative analgesia and duration of Postoperative Care Unit (PACU) stay, in children undergoing tonsillectomy. Background: Ketamine, as an N-methyl-d-aspartate…

Thirty-one Nigerians with uncomplicated acute appendicitis were discharged within forty-eight hours of operation. Before discharge, 3 patients experienced abdominal colics but this did not prolong their hospital stay. 3 patients developed wound…

BACKGROUND: There is increasing pressure on surgeons to minimize the time patients stay in hospital, and there is therefore a need to establish guidelines for reasonable lengths of stay for common operations. This study was conducted to test the…