Postoperative complications and unanticipated hospital admissions

Following anesthesia and surgery, children have more postoperative complications in the recovery room than adults. The majority of events are age-related (neonates and infants) and involve the respiratory rather than the cardiovascular system. In spite of newer antinausea drugs, pediatric patients have a high incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting leading to unexpected admission to the hospital. Pain is underreported and undertreated in the pediatric population.