Emergence delirium (ED) is a common, transient uncooperative and disoriented state during the post-anaesthesia period. It is potentially dangerous for the child, and distressing for their caregivers and health staff. Numerous risk factors have been established, however the proposed link between increased preoperative caregiver anxiety and ED is yet to be demonstrated.

This observational study aimed to determine the incidence of ED following tonsillectomy in Albury-Wodonga, a regional Australian centre, and establish whether there is a link between ED and caregiver anxiety.

An ED incidence of 32.1% (95% CI 20.3–46.0%) was recorded. More significantly, no evidence of a link with caregiver anxiety could be detected. This result is contrary to expectation, and demonstrates the need for a further, much larger, investigation.