OBJECTIVE:

To evaluate the safety of ambulatory adenotonsillectomy in children younger than 3 years.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

The records of 102 children younger than 3 years who underwent adenotonsillectomy as an outpatient procedure were reviewed during a 3-year period.

RESULTS:

Ten patients (10%) required overnight hospital admission for an average of 1.4 days. Nine patients were admitted directly from the day-stay unit and 1 patient was admitted 48 hours after surgery. The reason for hospital admission was poor oral intake. None of the patients had postoperative bleeding or respiratory problems or required intensive care unit admission.

CONCLUSION:

The safety of ambulatory adenotonsillectomy depends on judicious selection criteria and can be performed in children younger than 3 years.