Day-case adenoidectomy: how popular and safe in a rural environment?

In spite of previously favourable reports on day-case adenoidectomy, there are still worries amongst otolaryngologists that such practice is unsafe, especially in a rural environment. A national survey was therefore carried out which shows that only 41 per cent of respondents perform adenoidectomy routinely as day-case, and even fewer in rural areas. A regional audit on day-case adenoidectomy, covering five hospitals, was conducted in East Anglia. Between 1994 to 1995, 73 day-case adenoidectomies were performed and the outcome was compared to those of 183 in-patient adenoidectomies during the same period. The children in the day-case group recovered post-operatively even better than the in-patient group. None of them stayed overnight or required re-admission. There was no increased in post-operative consultation to the general practitioner. The parents in the day-case group were mostly in favour of the day-case arrangement (88 per cent). The results suggest that day-case adenoidectomy is safe and popular with parents even in a rural environment.