Information for parents
Our belief is that every child coming
in for a procedure or operation should have a safe experience with
minimal pain or distress. This page describes how we try and
achieve that aim.
The page is sub-divided into
sections. These are:
Every child undergoing an anaesthetic will
have an anaesthetic assessment. Typically this is on the
morning of surgery, though occasionally may be in advance of
this.
The safety of modern anaesthesia is in part
due to the thorough preoperative assessment by the
anaesthetist.
You may be asked questions
regarding:
- Whether your child has ever had a general anaesthetic
- Whether anyone in the family has experienced an adverse
reaction to an anaesthetic
- Your child's past medical history
- Whether your child is currently well or do they have cough or
cold at the moment
- What medications and inhalers your child is taking
- Whether your child is allergic to any medications, tapes
or ointments
- Whether your child has any loose teeth or other dental
work
- When your child last ate or drank
It is incredibly important to follow the
starvation guidelines if your child is undergoing elective
surgery.
One of the risks of a general anaesthetic is
of regurgitation. This is where food or acid from the stomach
flows up the gullet into the mouth where there is a risk that it
could flow back down the wind pipe into the lungs.
Following the starvation guidelines ensures the
risks of this incredibly rare but potentially serious event are
kept to a minimum.
(Please note: before your child's procedure,
you will be asked some questions on more than one occasion.
Although this may seem like unnecessary duplication, it is designed
to ensure that we do not miss important information, such as
allergies).
Anaesthetic induction takes place in the
anaesthetic room. There is an anaesthetic room next to every
operating theatre. Typically, your child will be brought to
the anaesthetic room with their nurse from the ward and one
parent.
There are two methods of inducing a general
anaesthetic. The anaesthetist will discuss with you what they
think is most appropriate for your child. This will be guided
by your child's age and previous experience of general anaesthetics
and what operation they are having.
The two methods are:
This is where a small plastic tube is placed
into a vein, usually in the hand. Local anaesthetic cream is
placed on the back of the hand first, for at least an hour, to
ensure that the skin is numb. This cream is placed on the hand
while the child is still on the ward, waiting to come down to the
theatre complex. The benefit of this method is that it usually
causes little distress to the child and allows them to go to sleep
smoothly and safely.
This is more commonly used in children under
three years of age, but may be used in older children for various
reasons.
The child lies on the bed or sits on their
parent's knee until they are asleep. A clear plastic mask is gently
held over the child's face and the child breathes a mixture
of oxygen, nitrous oxide and anaesthetic gas. The child
gradually drifts off to sleep in about 30 to 60
seconds. Because induction of anaesthesia by this
method is slower, you may see your child go through a wriggly
stage before they are fully asleep. Unusual movements or sounds are
normal at this time.
Watching your child being anaesthetised is
understandably distressing for many parents, but is usually much
less distressing for the child. Once your child is asleep, the
nurse will accompany you back up to the ward.
Generally, the first point at which you will
see your child after their operation is in the recovery
room. This is an extremely well staffed area, within the
theatre complex, where the child recovers from the
anaesthetic. The staff in this area ensure that the child's
pain is minimised before returning with you to the ward.
There are lots of methods of providing pain
relief after an operation. Please see our pain management page for
more information.
