The results of outpatient surgery performed in a day clinic (unattached operating-theatre unit) on 5321 patients in the period 1965 - 1971 by general practitioners and consultant surgeons are outlined and discussed. The types of surgery which can be undertaken are outlined and the dangers and precautions are analysed. Circumcision, contrary to expectation, provided the highest morbidity rate, whereas tonsillectomy proved to be an ideal outpatient procedure. The socio-economic and psychological implications are also discussed. In the light of the results obtained, combined with a survey of experience of British writers, the author makes a plea for more extensive use of day clinics for minor surgery.S. Afr. Med. J., 45, 1395 (1971)