Paediatric adenotonsillectomy as a daycase for obstructive sleep apnoea: how we do it in a tertiary unit.

BACKGROUND: Paediatric adenotonsillectomy is a common ENT operation. Daycase surgery for uncomplicated, elective procedures is encouraged in order to improve efficiency in healthcare. For patients with obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA), most units advocate an overnight stay for adenotonsillectomy, a procedure usually performed as a daycase in other contexts.

METHODS: A retrospective casenote review was carried out from 1st December 2011 to 1st December 2012 for all children undergoing daycase adenotonsillectomy for treatment of OSA at Bart's Children's and the Royal London Hospital.

RESULTS: 250 children underwent adenotonsillectomies for OSA as daycase procedures over twelve months. 6% had immediate, unplanned overnight admissions. 3% were readmitted within 30 days. No patients readmitted required surgical intervention.

CONCLUSION: For an appropriately selected child, adenotonsillectomy can be safely performed as a daycase procedure in a tertiary centre.