BACKGROUND: Day surgery is increasing recently because of various benefits such as cost-saving, reduced emotional disturbance, and risk of infection. Children are ideal patients for day surgery. Developments in surgical, anesthetic technique, and pharmacology made day surgery to be increased without major complications. METHODS: This retrospective study includes our experience about outpatient anesthesia for pediatric general surgery in 219 children including both sexes up the age of 15 years over two years from jan. 1. 1994 to dec. 31. 1995. RESULTS: In 183 patients(83.5%), general anesthesia was done with mask inhalation. In 165 patients (75%), herniorrhaphy was done. Mean duration of operation, anesthesia and stay in recovery room were 25, 30 and 25 minutes respectively. There was no patient who needs admission and treatment due to complications. CONCLUSIONS: If we considered selection of patients, anesthetic techniques, and prevention and treatment of complications in day surgery, it is safe and desirable in modern anesthesia for us to do day surgery in pediatric outpatients.