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Fifty-six children in two groups were discharged within 24 hours of an uncomplicated appendicectomy. While the children in the first group (N = 21) were visited by a nurse at home within 24 hours of discharge, the second group (N = 35) just received telephone calls. The cohort was evaluated by telephone interviews two weeks after discharge. All children fulfilling the discharge standards were discharged safely within 24 hours of surgery. Any physical complaints post-discharge were considered minor. The nurses were able to provide reassurance to the families, give advice and deal with minor problems. As a result the families felt safe and reassured, and in only one case did the fragility of parental confidence become obvious. This study has demonstrated the safety of discharging these children within 24 hours of surgery and the value to nursing contacts in enabling the families to care for their children at home.

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Both open herniotomy and laparoscopic repair offer safe surgery with comparable outcomes for incarcerated inguinal hernia in children. Laparoscopic approach and hernioscopy at the time of open approach appear to show the advantage of repairing the contralateral patent processus vaginalis at the same time and avoiding metachronous inguinal hernia.

Extending the fascial incision underlying the circumbilical approach to the shape of an 'inverted T' permits easy delivery of the pyloric tumour for Ramstedt's pyloromyotomy. This modification was used in 51 consecutive infants (42 male, 9 female) with a mean age of 4.7 weeks. Extension of the skin incision or conversion to the right hypochondrium approach was not necessary in any patient and the mean operating time was 31.4 min. Mild wound infection occurred in two infants (3.9%) that resolved with antibiotic treatment. Follow-up at 3 months did not detect any incisional hernia. This modification allows delivery of small or large pyloric tumours, is associated with a low rate of wound infection and does not alter the excellent cosmetic finish.

The role of the urology nurse in the care of 50 boys undergoing hypospadias surgery was prospectively evaluated using semi‐structured interviews and data retrieved from hospital notes. Four nursing‐related areas of interest were identified: Firstly, that nurses were instrumental in preparing the families for surgery by assessing the boys and providing information to the families. This enabled the early discharge of the children. Secondly, that nurses also dealt with any problems arising from pain or the wound as well as from the catheter or stent. Thirdly, that named nurses provided seamless care to the families enabling a development of familiarity and trust. Finally, nurses provided routine back‐up and a 24‐h emergency call facility for the families at home. These were valued by the parents for their reassuring and confidence giving effect as well as the quality of the advice given. Based on the results of this evaluation it was recommended to establish and introduce a care pathway for day‐case hypospadias repairs and to upgrade the urology nurses' role towards advanced nursing practice.

This cohort evaluation investigated the discharge of 15 children within 12 to 24 hours following an uncomplicated appendicectomy who were subsequently supported by an outreach nurse. By monitoring the child's progress, providing the support the family was expected to require and offering professional back-up for any unforeseen problems the outreach nurse ensured the child's safety and improved quality of care after early discharge from the hospital. The pivotal importance of the outreach nursing input was demonstrated when the expected visit did not materialise for one child.