Child Anaesthesia

Unless your child is very unwell, Dr. Mol will prescribe an oral sedative to be given when the theatre trolley arrives at the ward. Once your child has taken the pre-med, please keep them calm and resting, as it causes drowsiness and increases the risk of a fall. Every child responds differently: Some become very sleepy, others a little giggly, and others only slightly quieter than usual. The pre-med helps ease anxiety and means your child will remember very little of the journey to theatre.

Going to Theatre

We encourage one parent to accompany their child to theatre. While this can be an emotional experience, it spares your child the distress of separation at the theatre entrance. Once inside, we will attach a few monitors—none of which will cause any pain or discomfort—and ask your child to breathe oxygen and anaesthetic gas through a face mask.

As your child drifts off to sleep, they will pass through what is known as the “second stage” of anaesthesia. During this phase, they may breathe irregularly or move about. Please don’t be alarmed. This is a normal part of falling asleep with anaesthetic gas, and your child will have no memory of it as they are already partially asleep. In adults, we place a drip before starting anaesthesia, and the intravenous medication brings on sleep much more quickly, so this phase is not usually visible.

We will wait until your child is fully asleep before placing the drip, to avoid any unnecessary pain or distress. We will also insert suppositories to manage post-operative pain while your child is under anaesthetic. We will do everything we can to make the experience as calm as possible for parents, but please know that you are not obligated to come into theatre if it feels overwhelming. A distressed or faint parent is not a reassurance to your child!

When asked to leave theatre, please do so promptly.

After Surgery

Dr. Mol will administer pain medication during the anaesthetic. It is normal for young children to cry when waking up. Additional pain medication will be sent home with you, and if your child is in pain on waking, you may begin this immediately. Dr. Mol will also prescribe medication for nausea and vomiting.

One common side effect of the stronger pain medication used in theatre is an itchy nose. If your child rubs their nose vigorously, there is no cause for concern. This is a drug side effect, not an allergic reaction.

Unless there is a reason to keep it in place, we will remove the drip as your child leaves theatre.

Eating and Drinking

Once your child is awake, offer them something to eat or drink, but don’t force it. If they are not interested, try again a little later. Pushing them too soon is likely to cause nausea and vomiting.

Before leaving the hospital, wait for the surgeon to discharge your child and check in with the sister in charge of the ward. Don’t forget to take any prescribed medication with you.

Illness Before Surgery

If your child becomes unwell before the planned surgery date, the procedure may need to be postponed. Coughs and colds can sensitise the airways—particularly in children—and increase the risks associated with anaesthesia.

Some children suffer persistent runny noses, ear pain, or tonsillitis that cannot resolve until the underlying problem is surgically treated. In these cases, Dr. Mol will proceed with the planned procedure. These children may need to remain in hospital for an extended period after surgery—possibly overnight—for observation and treatment.