Pediatric Anesthesiology

Diet Pre-Anesthesia

If a child is about to have surgery, then their stomach should be empty. Infants younger than one year of age may have solid foods until eight hours before anesthesia, infant formula until six hours before anesthesia, breast milk up to four hours before anesthesia, and clear liquids up to two hours before anesthesia. Children of all ages may have solid foods until eight hours before anesthesia, and clear liquids up to two hours before anesthesia. 


Anesthesia Administration Methods

There are three main ways that anesthesia will be admisinstered to children. The first one is through a breathing mask. The mask will be placed over the child's mouth and nose, and anesthestic gases will be released through the mask to be breathed in. The second way is through an IV line. A needle will be inserted into a vein in the child's wrist, elbow, or the back of thne hand. The catheter is then pushed over the needle. The needle is removed, but the catheter remains. The catheter will administer the anestheia throughout the surgery. The third method of administration is through an injection. Anesthesia will be injected into the veins that are either directly on the site of surgery, or near that area. The anesthesia will then have access to the bloodstream, effectively numbing the nerves. 


Anesthesia Side Effects

There are many side effects after being under anesthesia. Children may be nauseous and vomit after coming out of surgery. Other side effects are feeling sleepy or grouchy, or having blood clots. Opioid side effects include constipation, nausea, vomitting, dizziness, itchiness, and feeling "loopy" or "fuzzy." 


Conditions That May Effect Anesthesia

If a child falls under any of the condtions below, their anesthesiologist will need to be notified immediately.