Day care surgery of inguinal hernia and hydrocele of children

From March 1983 to December 1989, day care operations were done for 12099 children (inguinal hernia 10913, hydrocele 1186) aging from 6 months to 13 years (75.9% of the children were under three). The postoperative complication rate was 0.84% and 15 children (0.12%) required hospitalization. The procedures and indications of the two operations and measures to prevent postoperative complications are discussed. We consider that day care surgery is safe and effective in minimizing the psychological burden of hospitalization, reducing hospital costs and decreasing the risk of cross-infection.