Pediatric Anesthesia

The anesthesiologists of Northern California Anesthesia Associates have taken care of many children undergoing surgery. We realize that the experience of surgery can be stressful and frightening for both child and parent and try our best to make the experience go as safely and smoothly as possible.

What can your child expect on the day of surgery? Usually children are given general anesthetics (completely asleep) for even the most minor surgeries. Unless there is a medical contraindication, about 10-30 minutes before surgery, your child will receive an oral medication to drink to help him or her feel less anxious and more relaxed. We will then bring your child to the operating room (parents are not allowed in the operating room because of sterility/safety issues) where we place routine monitors on your child for blood pressure, oxygenation status, and heart rhythm, all of which are not painful. The anesthesiologist will then usually have your child go to sleep by breathing an anesthetic gas through a mask, which again is not painful. After your child is asleep, depending on the type of surgery, the anesthesiologist may then place an intravenous catheter (IV) and a breathing tube to protect his or her airway during the surgery. The anesthesiologist precisely measures and delivers the anesthetic agents being given and monitors your child very closely during surgery. We will be taking care of your child for the whole duration of the surgery to make sure he is as safe and comfortable as he can be. After surgery, the breathing tube is removed and we will take your child to the post anesthesia care unit to be further monitored and cared for. Usually parents are allowed to be with their child in this recovery unit.

The aftereffects of anesthesia vary among children and also depend on the type and duration of surgery. Common side effects include grogginess, irritability, temporary sore throat (from the breathing tube if placed) and sometimes nausea and vomiting. However, we will ensure that your child is medically stable and safe before letting him or her go home