Day surgery in children: 15-year analysis of unplanned admissions at a Japanese tertiary children's hospital.

PURPOSE: Unplanned hospital admission following pediatric day surgery is a crucial quality indicator. This study examined the incidence, related risks, interventions, and outcomes of unplanned hospital admission following pediatric day surgery among children in Japan.

METHODS

This single-center, retrospective study analyzed data of 14,529 pediatric patients under the age of 18 years who underwent day surgery between August 2007 and December 2022. Unplanned hospital admission was defined as an overnight hospital stay that was not planned preoperatively, including patients who returned to the emergency department and required admission within 24 h of discharge. Reasons for unplanned hospital admission and interventions were categorized, and risk factors were identified using logistic regression.

RESULTS

The incidence of unplanned hospital admission was 0.19%. The most common reasons for unplanned hospital admission were anesthetic-related, particularly postoperative nausea and vomiting (36%), which was managed primarily with intravenous fluids (36%) and antiemetic medications (21%). Medical and surgical factors were next most common. Logistic regression identified longer operation time (adjusted Odds ratio 1.03; 95% confidence interval [1.01, 1.04]; P < 0.001) and exit from the operating room after 15:00 (adjusted Odds ratio 29.3; 95% confidence interval [7.09, 121]; P < 0.001) as significant risk factors for unplanned hospital admission.

CONCLUSION

Unplanned hospital admission was most commonly anesthetic-related and was managed with intravenous fluids and antiemetic medications. Longer operation time and later exit from the operating room were significant risk factors. These findings can guide targeted strategies to further reduce unplanned hospital admission and improve pediatric day surgery quality.