Quand récuser un enfant pour une intervention chirurgicale ?

The decision of cancelling surgery is based on a cost-benefit analysis. Anesthetic mortality is extremely low in pediatric practice, close to 1/100,000. Respiratory complications are the leading cause of postoperative complications in children. The frequency of upper respiratory tract infections impairs a good organization of the operating room list of patients. It is unbelievable to cancel every single patient suffering from upper airway tract infection. It is consequently necessary to elaborate a strategy to manage such cases. Cancellations for other reasons are less frequent. Child refusal, lack of parents' consent and lack of expertise of the anesthetist in pediatric cases may lead to cancellation of the case.