Anesthesia is a medical procedure used to prevent pain during surgeries and medical treatments. Depending on the type of anesthesia, the patient may remain awake or be placed in a sleep-like state. Anesthesia allows various procedures to be performed without pain or stress, ensuring safety and comfort for the patient. Before the procedure, the doctor will discuss potential risks and choose the most appropriate type of anesthesia to provide optimal conditions for the surgery and recovery afterward.
What to Expect When Your Child Needs Anesthesia
When your child requires anesthesia for surgery or a procedure, it’s natural to have many questions. Here’s a guide to help you understand what to expect before, during, and after anesthesia.
Types of Anesthesia
The type of anesthesia used depends on the procedure, your child’s age, and any medical conditions. The main types of anesthesia are:
- General Anesthesia: The child is completely unconscious or «asleep,» feels no pain, and doesn’t remember the procedure.
- Regional Anesthesia: Numbs a large area of the body by blocking pain signals near a group of nerves.
- Local Anesthesia: Numbs a small, specific area of the body.
General and regional anesthesia are typically used in hospitals and surgery centers and are administered by anesthesiologists or nurse anesthetists. Local anesthesia is often used in clinics or doctor’s offices. Sometimes, multiple types of anesthesia are combined for a procedure.
What Happens Before Anesthesia?
Before the procedure, you will meet with the doctor or nurse to discuss your child’s health history, medications, allergies, and any family history with anesthesia. It’s important to answer these questions fully. The doctor may order tests, such as X-rays or blood tests, and give you specific instructions on when your child should stop eating or drinking before the anesthesia.
Following these guidelines is critical to prevent complications during the procedure, such as inhaling food or liquid into the lungs.
What Happens During Anesthesia?
What occurs during anesthesia depends on the type used:
- General Anesthesia: Your child will be fully unconscious, unable to feel pain, or remember the procedure. It is administered via IV or through inhalation. A breathing tube is placed in the throat to assist breathing during the procedure.
- Regional Anesthesia: Administered near a cluster of nerves, it numbs a larger area of the body. Types of regional anesthesia include epidurals (common in childbirth) and spinal blocks. The anesthesiologist will choose the best option for your child.
- Local Anesthesia: This numbs a small area of the body, such as for dental work or stitches. It can be administered as a shot, spray, or ointment.
In some cases, sedation is provided before the anesthesia to help your child relax. This may be given as oral medicine or nasal spray. Throughout the procedure, the medical team closely monitors your child’s vital signs to ensure their safety and comfort.
What Happens After Anesthesia?
Recovery from anesthesia varies depending on the type:
- Local and Regional Anesthesia: Once the numbness fades, your child may experience some discomfort. If sedation was used, your child may be able to go home within a few hours.
- General Anesthesia: Children are moved to the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) where they are monitored as they wake up. Expect your child to be sleepy for about an hour. Some children may feel nauseous, irritable, or confused upon waking and may have a dry throat from the breathing tube.
Once your child is fully awake and their pain is managed, they can leave the PACU. Some children go home the same day, while others may need to stay in the hospital, depending on the procedure.
Going Home
Before leaving the hospital, the doctor or nurse will explain how to care for your child at home, including:
- When to follow up with the doctor.
- What pain medications to give, if necessary.
- What symptoms to watch for, such as fever, excessive pain, or vomiting.
When to Call the Doctor
Contact your health care provider if your child experiences:
- Bleeding, redness, or pus at the procedure site.
- A fever over 101°F (38.3°C).
- Pain not relieved by prescribed medication.
- Vomiting or difficulty drinking fluids.
How Can Parents Help?
Anesthesia is generally very safe, and most children experience no issues. However, if your child is younger than 3, some research suggests that extended exposure to anesthesia may affect brain development. More recent studies offer reassurance, but ongoing research continues. If you’re concerned, talk to your health care provider.
Questions to Ask Before the Procedure
To ease your concerns, consider asking the following questions:
- Can I stay with my child before the procedure?
- What type of anesthesia will be used, and will my child need breathing support?
- How will the anesthesia be administered — by needle, IV, mask, or breathing tube?
- Will my child be sedated before receiving anesthesia?
- How long will the surgery take, and when can I see my child afterward?
- How long will it take for my child to fully recover from anesthesia?
- When can my child resume normal activities like eating, drinking, school, or driving (for teens)?
Knowing what to expect and asking these questions will help you and your child feel more comfortable and prepared for the procedure.