Recovery after paediatric daycase herniotomy performed under spinal anaesthesia

In this prospective survey, recovery in hospital and at home was evaluated in 195 children aged 6 months to 10 years who had undergone herniotomy under spinal anaesthesia as a daycase procedure. Spinal anaesthesia was successful in most of the children, with only two patients being given general anaesthesia. Eighty-three percent of the children had pain at home and 19% had moderate or severe pain. Eighty-five percent of the children needed pain medication at home; the median dose of analgesics was 4 (1-9, 10th and 90th percentiles). Vomiting was noted in two of 195 children in hospital and in 10 of 192 children at home. Eleven children developed a mild position-dependent headache. Most of the children (183/191) recovered their normal daily activities during the first three postoperative days. We conclude that spinal anaesthesia is a safe and effective technique for paediatric herniotomy. Moreover, pain is common following herniotomy and children should be given analgesics for the first two or three postoperative days.