Abstract
Objective: To find out the causes of cancellation of elective surgical patients in pediatric patients.
Study Design: Retrospective study.
Setting and Duration: Department of pediatric surgery, the children’s hospital, Pakistan institute of medical sciences (PIMS), Islamabad from January 2010 to December 2010.
Materials and Methods: This study was conducted in the department of pediatric surgery; the children’s hospital PIMS Islamabad. All scheduled patients for elective surgeries over a period of one year, from 1st January 2010 to 31 December 2010 were enrolled in the study. Proportion of surgery Obtained each day from the operating list and a separate list of additions and cancellations compiled on the day; reasons for cancellations from the cancellation list, extended or confirmed, from operation theater daily record register. Estimated and actual duration of each operation and patient information from hospital clinical record.
Results; A total of 3240 cases were scheduled to undergo elective surgeries and 464 cases were cancelled (14.3 %). The highest number of cancellation occurred due to URTI and fever (24.2%). the least cause of cancellation was due to refusal from surgery by parents (1.3%).
Conclusions; There were three Major reasons for on the day surgery cancellations. We estimated that 40% of elective procedures were potentially avoidable

Key words: Elective surgical patients, causes of cancellations, pediatric.