Introduction

Day surgery is an increasingly important part of elective surgery. It currently accounts for 50 per cent of elective surgery in the UK, and 60 per cent or more in the USA and Canada, with predictions of further increases. The impetus for this has been the high cost of keeping patients in in-patient beds, the reduction in availability of these beds and long surgical waiting lists in publicly funded healthcare systems. Improvements in anaesthesia and pain control, minimally invasive surgery and changing attitudes to recovery after surgery have all promoted the expansion of day surgery. Patients, particularly children, benefit from reduced stays in hospital and a rapid return to their home environment, provided that their surgery is uncomplicated and without significant pain or nausea. The quality of care in day surgery should be of the same high standard as that expected for in­patient surgery. Day Surgery Units (DSU) are the best way to achieve this.