Anesthesiology Questions Anesthesia

What kind of anesthesia is used for children?

My son needs to have surgery for an infection in his leg. What kind of anesthesia would generally be used for this surgery? Would he need general? We aren't meeting with his anesthesia until the end of the week.

1 Answer

Pediatric Anesthesia offers similar options to adult anesthesia. It depends on the child's developmental stage. Depending on the depth and extension of the wound, your child may have "deep sedation" with Propofol or a General Anesthetic.
There isn't a better technique than what the provider is best and most experienced at.
In general children are given:
1. In preop: a sedative preop (usually oral midazolam) and acetaminophen (to aid with pain).
2. In the OR they have an inhalation induction (breath a mixture of Anesthetic gas with Oxygen and Nitrous Oxide); once asleep they will insert and IV. Through this IV, they inject other medications, fluids, antibiotics, etc.
3. Your child will be kept asleep with either intravenous medication or Anesthetic gases mixed.
4. Will receive another form of non-narcotic medication, such as Ibuprofen or Ketorolac.
5. Will be given anti-nausea medication, may be given narcotic.

Anesthetics in the hands of an Anesthesiologist are very safe. Unless your child has congenital anomalies, including heart defects, is premature or has severe medical conditions, he does not need a Pediatric Anesthesiologist. All Board Certified Anesthesiologists have received training in Pediatric Anesthesia as part of a four-year Residency Program. Pediatric Anesthesiologists are reserved for critically ill children, premature children, or children with congenital anomalies or having complex surgical procedures.