Preparing Your Child for Surgery

• Tell your child as much as possible about what to expect
• On the day of surgery, request a visit from one of our Child Life Specialists
• Prior to your child's surgery, discuss options with your surgeon
• The day of surgery, one of our anethesiologists will speak with you prior to surgery to discuss anesthetic options and prescribe the anesthesia

During The Preoperative Visit, Your Anesthesiologist Will:

• Discuss your child's general medical history (conditions, diseases, medications and allergies)
• Discuss your child's prior anesthetic experience
• Discuss relevant family anesthetic history
• Perform a focused physical examination
• Discuss options to help make your child less anxious
• Determine optimal anesthetic technique
• Explain the anesthetic plan to you and your child and answer any questions that you may have
• Obtain informed consent for anesthesia from parent or guardian

Types of Anesthesia

• General (may start by inhalational--face mask, or intravenous induction): maintains complete unconsciousness
• Regional: blocks nerves
• Local: uses intravenous sedation
• Local

Role of Anesthesiologist During Your Child's Operation

• Maintain appropriate depth of anesthesia
• Monitor and support vital functions such as heart, lung and kidney function, as well as body temperature
• Diagnose and treat medical conditions
• Manage fluid therapy and blood transfusions
• Manage pain control
• Safe transfer to Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU)
• Immediate postoperative care including evaluation for discharge to home or patient room

For more information, please read the American Society of Anesthesiologists Public Education Series