Daycare adeno-tonsillectomy: is it safe in developing countries?

OBJECTIVE To determine the safety of daycare adeno-tonsillectomy in a tertiary care centre. METHOD A retrospective chart review of 207 patients who had undergone tonsillectomy and/or adenoidectomy as daycare procedure in Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, between January 2008 to March 2009 was done. Demographic data as well as complications requiring unplanned admissions were recorded. Any emergency room visit in the first 24 hours was also noted. Telephonic calls were then made to collect the first 24-hour, postoperative data in order to know if there were any complications requiring visit to some nearby health facility. All data was analysed using SPS version 19, while Fisher's exact test was used to compare complications with respect to age groups. RESULTS Of the total, 132 were males and 75 females. Only one (0.48%) patient developed bleeding soon after surgery which required a revisit to the operating room. Another 13 (6.2%) patients were admitted for reasons like post-operative vomiting, desaturation and raised blood pressure. There were no hospital visits within the first 24 hours after the patient was discharged. Besides, 172 (83%) patients preferred daycare surgical procedures if given an option again. CONCLUSION Daycare adeno-tonsillectomy is a safe practice which can help to save resources in developing countries.