Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
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Q1. Is this operation really needed for my child? Can we wait?a surgical procedure is intented to set a right structural defect in the body. operation is advised only if it is inevitable and so if no medical alternative is available. Your child surgeon and child specialist would have carefully considered the pros and cons before deciding to advise for operation on your child.
Q2. Is it safe to operate on a little child?Yes. surgical procedures and aneasthesia techniques have evolved to a great extent in last few decades. It is now possible to safely perform even complex operations even on newborn babies also. the concern doctor will discuss the risk factors and possible outcomes with in you in person with details.
Q3. Is it not risky?Any operation or anaesthesia involves some amount of risk, more so in small children. However, every effort will be made to ensure that all the personnel involved - the surgeon, assistants, aneasthetists, nurses and ward staff are all well conversant with handling small babies. They will take adquate precautions to minimize the risk to the maximum extent.
Q4. How much will my child suffer?Most of the cases are done on "day-care" basis. Majority children will be able to do their routine activities with in a day or two with help of pain killers. To ensure pain free post surgical recovery we will also give regional/local pain killers(aneasthesia) as needed case to case basis.
Q5. What will be the duration of the hospitalization?We believe that the right place for the child is their own home and not a hospital, however well it is furnished. Hence, the hospitalization would be as short as possible, balancing against the medical necessity. The exact duration of hospital stay will however vary on several factors like the disease, the child's mental make up, the parents' preference, hospital protocol and insurance requirements etc.
Q6. Is it going to be General or Local Anesthesia?Of course, a lot of procedures can be carried out under local anesthesia in adults. Yet, in small children, it may not be feasible as they are frightened in the operation theater. It certainly would be inhuman to forcibly hold your child down to carry out the delicate surgical procedures. We prefer a formal general anesthesia for children for an effective surgical operation. However, Local / regional anesthetics are given in most cases to reduce the requirement of general anesthesia and for a good post-operative pain relief.
Q7. What are the pre-operative preparations & precautions?*Starvation: It is mandatory to ensure that the child has a fully empty stomach at the time of anesthetic induction to prevent vomiting and its potentially life-threatening complications. Hence, you would be advised to starve your child for a duration suitable to your child's age (a minimum of 4 hours prior to the surgery). Please make sure that your child does not have even a drop of water during this period for her/his own safety.
*Consent: It is a statutory medico-legal requirement for the parents to sign an informed consent form authorizing the concerned doctors and the Hospital / Nursing Home to carry out the proposed surgical procedure. (A sample consent form will be given to you, if you so desire). You will be explained in a simple language about the nature of the surgery, the available options, the risks involved and any special implications etc. Kindly clarify all your queries before you sign the consent form.
* Pre-medications: In children, we generally tend to avoid pre-operative injections so as to reduce the child's apprehension and hostility. However, in certain circumstances, the anesthetist may prefer to administer some pre operative medications to increase the safety of the anaesthesia.
Q8. What about the post-operative care?
* Feeding: Generally, feeding is advised after your child recovers completely from the effect of the sedatives and becomes FULLY conscious, alert and demanding feeds. Premature initiation of feeds may precipitate vomiting in a drowsy child and complicate the matters. Once feeds are allowed, start with small sips of water / clear liquids and then gradually increase to otherliquids, semi-solids and then solids. The feeding may be delayed if any intra abdominal procedure is performed.
*Physical Activity: You need to understand that most children do not know that they underwent a surgery' in your conventional meaning. Hence, they do not follow your 'rules' of 'bed rest', 'careful movements', 'do not move your hand etc. They find these instructions rather weird, stifling and intimidating. Encourage your child to be as normal as possible. Handle your child as you usually do carry on your lap, arms & shoulder, cuddle, caress and comfort. THEY NEED IT.
*Stitches: Nearly always, special absorbable sutures are used and it is not necessary to remove the stitches. Only in rare instances are removable sutures are used.
*Other Medications: Surgery is a separate issue and is handled accordingly. Hence, your child needs to continue other long term medications, if any, as advised by your Pediatrician. Hence, bring them along with you during hospitalization.
*Schooling: Your child can attend school as early as is practically feasible. It may be a relief for the parents also to send the child to the school than to handle his/her tantrums and mischief at home!
LAST BUT NOT THE LEAST....
Please do understand that we all work under the realm of nature and human Uimitations. Modern Medicine, despite all the advances is still an art and not a perfect science. We do make our best human efforts to ensure that everything goes well. However, we all need the Divine grace, which is very vital in every aspect of life. So let us all pray for His blessings and guidance in our well-intended endeavor.
Q2. Is it safe to operate on a little child?Yes. surgical procedures and aneasthesia techniques have evolved to a great extent in last few decades. It is now possible to safely perform even complex operations even on newborn babies also. the concern doctor will discuss the risk factors and possible outcomes with in you in person with details.
Q3. Is it not risky?Any operation or anaesthesia involves some amount of risk, more so in small children. However, every effort will be made to ensure that all the personnel involved - the surgeon, assistants, aneasthetists, nurses and ward staff are all well conversant with handling small babies. They will take adquate precautions to minimize the risk to the maximum extent.
Q4. How much will my child suffer?Most of the cases are done on "day-care" basis. Majority children will be able to do their routine activities with in a day or two with help of pain killers. To ensure pain free post surgical recovery we will also give regional/local pain killers(aneasthesia) as needed case to case basis.
Q5. What will be the duration of the hospitalization?We believe that the right place for the child is their own home and not a hospital, however well it is furnished. Hence, the hospitalization would be as short as possible, balancing against the medical necessity. The exact duration of hospital stay will however vary on several factors like the disease, the child's mental make up, the parents' preference, hospital protocol and insurance requirements etc.
Q6. Is it going to be General or Local Anesthesia?Of course, a lot of procedures can be carried out under local anesthesia in adults. Yet, in small children, it may not be feasible as they are frightened in the operation theater. It certainly would be inhuman to forcibly hold your child down to carry out the delicate surgical procedures. We prefer a formal general anesthesia for children for an effective surgical operation. However, Local / regional anesthetics are given in most cases to reduce the requirement of general anesthesia and for a good post-operative pain relief.
Q7. What are the pre-operative preparations & precautions?*Starvation: It is mandatory to ensure that the child has a fully empty stomach at the time of anesthetic induction to prevent vomiting and its potentially life-threatening complications. Hence, you would be advised to starve your child for a duration suitable to your child's age (a minimum of 4 hours prior to the surgery). Please make sure that your child does not have even a drop of water during this period for her/his own safety.
*Consent: It is a statutory medico-legal requirement for the parents to sign an informed consent form authorizing the concerned doctors and the Hospital / Nursing Home to carry out the proposed surgical procedure. (A sample consent form will be given to you, if you so desire). You will be explained in a simple language about the nature of the surgery, the available options, the risks involved and any special implications etc. Kindly clarify all your queries before you sign the consent form.
* Pre-medications: In children, we generally tend to avoid pre-operative injections so as to reduce the child's apprehension and hostility. However, in certain circumstances, the anesthetist may prefer to administer some pre operative medications to increase the safety of the anaesthesia.
Q8. What about the post-operative care?
* Feeding: Generally, feeding is advised after your child recovers completely from the effect of the sedatives and becomes FULLY conscious, alert and demanding feeds. Premature initiation of feeds may precipitate vomiting in a drowsy child and complicate the matters. Once feeds are allowed, start with small sips of water / clear liquids and then gradually increase to otherliquids, semi-solids and then solids. The feeding may be delayed if any intra abdominal procedure is performed.
*Physical Activity: You need to understand that most children do not know that they underwent a surgery' in your conventional meaning. Hence, they do not follow your 'rules' of 'bed rest', 'careful movements', 'do not move your hand etc. They find these instructions rather weird, stifling and intimidating. Encourage your child to be as normal as possible. Handle your child as you usually do carry on your lap, arms & shoulder, cuddle, caress and comfort. THEY NEED IT.
- It is surprisingly easier to handle children they do not stretch themselves and do anything that is painful... and if it is not painful, they are going to doing it regardless.
- Just, let go and listen to them for a few days. They can choose the activities,food and dresses that they are comfortable.
- By following these simple guidelines, you will be helping your child to return to normalcy very fast.
*Stitches: Nearly always, special absorbable sutures are used and it is not necessary to remove the stitches. Only in rare instances are removable sutures are used.
*Other Medications: Surgery is a separate issue and is handled accordingly. Hence, your child needs to continue other long term medications, if any, as advised by your Pediatrician. Hence, bring them along with you during hospitalization.
*Schooling: Your child can attend school as early as is practically feasible. It may be a relief for the parents also to send the child to the school than to handle his/her tantrums and mischief at home!
LAST BUT NOT THE LEAST....
Please do understand that we all work under the realm of nature and human Uimitations. Modern Medicine, despite all the advances is still an art and not a perfect science. We do make our best human efforts to ensure that everything goes well. However, we all need the Divine grace, which is very vital in every aspect of life. So let us all pray for His blessings and guidance in our well-intended endeavor.
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DISCLAIMER - This FAQ page content is copied from the ideas of Prof. DR.S.RAMESH my beloved teacher with his permission
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