Abstract

ABSTRACTBackground“One-stop surgery” (OSS) allows pediatric patients to undergo initial surgical evaluation, anesthesia, surgery, and discharge home, on the same day.MethodsPatients referred for umbilical hernia repair, circumcision, or central venous catheter removal completed a screening questionnaire, after which they were scheduled for initial surgical and anesthesia evaluation if eligible and had surgery if indicated on the same day.ResultsThree patients had comorbidity precluding OSS, two patients refused indicated surgery, two patients did not require surgery, and 12 patients did not keep their appointment. Eighty patients had surgery without complications. Average total time was significantly shorter for OSS than non-OSS for circumcision (120 vs 142 min) and umbilical hernia repair (139 vs 165 min) but similar for catheter removal (100 vs 109 min). All families were satisfied with OSS.ConclusionsOne-stop surgery appears to be a safe, efficient, and convenient alternative to the traditional process for patients and their families.