Journal of pediatric surgery
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Because postoperative apnea and bradycardia in premature infants following inguinal herniorrhaphy remains a concern, outpatient repair has not been recommended. We have been performing outpatient inguinal herniorrhaphy in premature infants and the present study reviews our experience. Between 1985 and 1990, 1,294 outpatient inguinal herniorrhaphies were performed. ⋯ Bradycardia to 80 beats/min was noted in two patients, and resolved spontaneously in the recovery room. Laryngospasm after extubation in the operating room occurred in two patients, one of whom required brief reintubation and the other resolved spontaneously. Two patients required postoperative ventilation: one was extubated in the recovery room and the other was hospitalized for 24 hours.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)