• P J Robb and B N Ewah.
• Department of Otolaryngology, Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust, Epsom, UK.
• J Laryngol Otol. 2011 Oct 1;125(10):1049-52.

ObjectiveTo audit a protocol for elective, day-case, paediatric ENT surgery, previously reported as enabling an overall post-operative nausea and vomiting rate of 2 per cent and a discharge rate of 100 per cent on the day of surgery.MethodThe audit included 91 children (45 boys and 46 girls) aged three to 14 years. Forty-seven children underwent tonsillectomy, 36 adenotonsillectomy and eight tonsillectomy with postnasal space examination; indications included recurrent tonsillitis, tonsillitis and nasal block, upper airway obstruction, and a combination of upper airway obstruction and recurrent tonsillitis.ResultsNo post-operative nausea or vomiting was recorded in any of the children on the day of surgery, and no discharges were delayed. The reactionary haemorrhage rate was 1 per cent and the secondary haemorrhage rate 3.3 per cent.ConclusionThese findings have implications for the safe same-day discharge of children following tonsillectomy.

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