Pediatric outpatient anesthesia is beneficial because it is more comfortable to children and more convenient for families, but delayed discharge causes distress for parents and children and increases health care personnel workload. Therefore, we examined past medical records to evaluate factors affecting discharge time in pediatric outpatient anesthesia.

We reviewed the anesthetic and post-anesthetic care records of 119 children who required ventilation tube insertion for ambulatory surgery, and who were anesthetized and monitored by an anesthesiologist between June 2001 and February 2004. Data were classified according to the anesthetic technique and agents used, duration of operation and anesthesia, and complications in the recovery room. We then examined the relationships between these factors and discharge time.

Compared to intravenous anesthesia, endotracheal anesthesia increased anesthesia time (P < 0.05), but not discharge time. Ketamine dosage was found to be closely correlated with discharge time (P < 0.01), and complications in the recovery room delayed discharge time (P < 0.05).

We conclude that excessive ketamine use and postoperative complications delay discharge in pediatric outpatient anesthesia. More attention should be paid to minimize ketamine use and reduce postoperative complications so as not to delay discharge in pediatric outpatient anesthesia.