Anaesthesia Advice

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Hi does anyone else think this is really high?

I had worried about her
being in hospital
having the injections
me leaving her
the op not working
her pain

But now I feel more concerned I didn't think about the risk of being put to sleep.

Thank you.

What is she in hospital for? What are the risks of not having the op/anaesthesia?

Less than 1 in 100,000 isn't THAT high. It's most likely for children with serious health conditions to start with - which I appreciate may be your child as you hadn't said, so sorry if that's the case.. I only said it to help you try to get things into perspective. 1 in 100,000 is a risk I would absolutely take.

Anything like that is scary. Don’t forget the surgeons will balance out the benefits of the surgery against the risks. That risk really is a tiny risk.

Good luck hope it goes well and don’t be scared to talk your concerns through with the anethetist

I’ve nursed surgical/ortho/ent patients (children) for 15 years never had any adverse issues re anaesthetic, the nurse will do pre op checks and the anaesthetist comes round the Eve before or day off op to speak to parents and child, answer questions etc.

What injections?…if you’re going to a children’s hospital often they have prep videos so you can see what happens before an op and you can see anaesthetic room/recovery etc it can help you as much as your child - some kids don’t want to see or are too young to understand them but for some they are really useful and I think for parents they are helpful too.

Pre op Usually a nurse will put some numbing cream on hands/arms then id bracelet, gown etc a cannula is put in in anaesthetic room. Most kids don’t remember having it put in. Depending how anxious child is they sometimes get a pre med, I’m seeing that more often in last couple of years. You’d normally go to anaesthetic room with your child and as soon as she’s asleep you leave, so they don’t know and it is hard (I’ve done it as a parent too) as soon as they are awake and stable enough they bring your child back to the ward where you will be. Speak to the nurses etc about your worries and hopefully they can help you, do it away from your child as you don’t want them to be worrying obviously. Often there’s lots of waiting about pre op, sometimes they move cases about or there is an emergency that delays things. It can be frustrating as it’s a stressful time. I hope your child gets their op and all goes well & they are home safe and sound very soon op

It's nothing serious. She doesn't need to face it. She was given the choice. Sorry didn't think to mention that as she's having it either way.

Sorry that was for @MrsFin

@LindaEllen It says healthy children.

@Sirzy

Anything like that is scary. Don’t forget the surgeons will balance out the benefits of the surgery against the risks. That risk really is a tiny risk.

Good luck hope it goes well and don’t be scared to talk your concerns through with the anethetist

Thank you. She doesn't need the op. It's to remove a birthmark so we are all torn. She's been waiting a year for it.

@Tinkerbellfluffyboots79

I’ve nursed surgical/ortho/ent patients (children) for 15 years never had any adverse issues re anaesthetic, the nurse will do pre op checks and the anaesthetist comes round the Eve before or day off op to speak to parents and child, answer questions etc.

What injections?…if you’re going to a children’s hospital often they have prep videos so you can see what happens before an op and you can see anaesthetic room/recovery etc it can help you as much as your child - some kids don’t want to see or are too young to understand them but for some they are really useful and I think for parents they are helpful too.

Pre op Usually a nurse will put some numbing cream on hands/arms then id bracelet, gown etc a cannula is put in in anaesthetic room. Most kids don’t remember having it put in. Depending how anxious child is they sometimes get a pre med, I’m seeing that more often in last couple of years. You’d normally go to anaesthetic room with your child and as soon as she’s asleep you leave, so they don’t know and it is hard (I’ve done it as a parent too) as soon as they are awake and stable enough they bring your child back to the ward where you will be. Speak to the nurses etc about your worries and hopefully they can help you, do it away from your child as you don’t want them to be worrying obviously. Often there’s lots of waiting about pre op, sometimes they move cases about or there is an emergency that delays things. It can be frustrating as it’s a stressful time. I hope your child gets their op and all goes well & they are home safe and sound very soon op

Thank you very much.

I have bad anxiety and I'm autistic. Just getting to the hospital is stressing me out.

They did say the op may be cancelled while we are there because of staff shortages so thanks.

Also does anyone know how long recovery from being out to sleep can take?

I had an operation as a child in the nineties (so obviously anaesthesia and techniques etc are much better now). It was easy, I remember the anaesthetist telling me to look away for the injection (they used numbing cream first) and count to ten, but I never got to ten.
When I woke up I was a bit panicky like a small child after a bad dream, nothing serious. They brought my mum into recovery to calm me down.
Even then normally my operation should have been a day case with me home that afternoon, but I didn't get on well with the anaesthetic so they kept me for one night. I was sick after eating for a few hours so they wanted to make sure I could keep food down before going home.

How old is she OP? The risk of anesthesia goes down at age 3 I think. I know it's scary but my 8 year old has had 22 general anesthetics, mostly before he was 5 and he has only ever had minor complications.

Hi thank you. She's 9.

I'm a paediatric anaesthetist.

I suggest that you look at the risk section of the RCoA website.

www.rcoa.ac.uk/patient-information/patient-information-resources/anaesthesia-risk

It's actually safer to have an anaesthetic than it is to travel in a car over the course of a year. We don't generally agonise about the latter but because having an operation is so novel we do. The way human beings process risk is fascinating.

www.bandolier.org.uk/booth/Risk/trasnsportpop.html

The vast vast majority of fit and well children have surgery uneventfully. There is an odd rare tragedy which is devastating for the family (and health care staff involved) but it is really really rare. I can think of one case in my 20 yr career.

As professionals though we have to be honest that that tiny risk exists. However, in all likelihood your daughter will be absolutely fine.

@MauveMavis

I'm a paediatric anaesthetist.

I suggest that you look at the risk section of the RCoA website.

www.rcoa.ac.uk/patient-information/patient-information-resources/anaesthesia-risk

It's actually safer to have an anaesthetic than it is to travel in a car over the course of a year. We don't generally agonise about the latter but because having an operation is so novel we do. The way human beings process risk is fascinating.

www.bandolier.org.uk/booth/Risk/trasnsportpop.html

The vast vast majority of fit and well children have surgery uneventfully. There is an odd rare tragedy which is devastating for the family (and health care staff involved) but it is really really rare. I can think of one case in my 20 yr career.

As professionals though we have to be honest that that tiny risk exists. However, in all likelihood your daughter will be absolutely fine.

Hi thank you. The hospital didn't actually mention any risks at all. It's just info I've read up in. They will probably tell me on the say?