Ethan Rhodes
The idea of a child undergoing surgery is distressing for both the child and their caregivers. While adults can ask questions and gather information to alleviate their fears, children and adolescents may not be able to express their concerns. Hospitals and caregivers can work together to prepare a child for surgery and make the experience less traumatic. This includes reading books about hospitals, taking pre-surgery tours, and playing with medical kits. Parents can also talk about the steps of the procedure at home, and hospitals can offer choices to the child, such as picking out candy flavors for their anesthesia mask, to make them feel more in control.
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What You'll Learn
- Preparing kids for surgery: books, tours, and hospital visits can help kids understand what to expect
- Pre-surgery instructions: eating, drinking, bathing, and medication guidelines to follow
- Reducing anxiety: tips and tricks to help kids feel calm and relaxed before and during surgery
- The role of the caregiver: how to support your child before, during, and after surgery
- Pain management: understanding the options for managing pain before, during, and after surgery
Preparing kids for surgery: books, tours, and hospital visits can help kids understand what to expect
Preparing kids for surgery can be a stressful experience for both the child and the caregiver. It is important to remember that children of different ages will have different reactions to the prospect of surgery and will need different kinds of preparation.
Toddlers, for instance, do not understand the concept of time and will need to be prepared the day before surgery, never at bedtime. Simple and short explanations are best for this age group. Preschoolers, on the other hand, have a better understanding of time and need a few days to process the information. This is the age of "magical thinking," where they may assume that they need surgery because they did something "bad." It is important to encourage them to talk about their feelings and reassure them that the surgery is not connected to their behaviour.
School-aged children need time to prepare as well. It is recommended to begin preparing them 1-2 weeks prior to surgery. They may worry about waking up during surgery or that the surgery will change the way they look. It is important to explain the concept of special sleep medicine to them and reassure them that they will not feel, hear, or see anything during the operation. They also need details about events before, during, and after the surgery.
Older children and teens should be involved in the decision-making process and given as much information as possible. They may fear that their body will be damaged and are often concerned about how they will look and feel after surgery. It is important to be truthful with this age group as they often become angry if they feel adults are lying to them.
There are several tools that can help prepare a child for surgery, regardless of their age. Books, for instance, are a great way to help children learn about hospitals and surgery in a non-threatening way. Some recommended books include Bernstein Bears: Hospital Friends, Franklin Goes to the Hospital, Curious George Goes to the Hospital, and This is a Hospital, Not a Zoo! Reading these books before discussing the child's surgery can provide positive and familiar stories to reference in your explanation.
Another helpful tool is a pre-surgery hospital tour, which can help children and their caregivers envision what the day of the operation will be like. Younger children should ideally take the tour closer to the date of surgery, as they have a shorter memory. Older children, on the other hand, should take the tour further in advance to give them more time to prepare.
Finally, giving the child a sense of control over at least one aspect of their hospitalization can be reassuring. This can be done by letting them pack their own suitcase and choose a comfort item or favourite toy to bring to the hospital.
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Pre-surgery instructions: eating, drinking, bathing, and medication guidelines to follow
Preparing your child for surgery can be a stressful experience. Here are some pre-surgery instructions to follow regarding eating, drinking, bathing, and medication to help make the process smoother:
Eating and Drinking Guidelines:
It is important to follow the instructions provided by your doctor or surgeon regarding eating and drinking before surgery. Here are some general guidelines:
- Children between the ages of 3 and 12 can consume solid foods and dairy products until 8 hours before the scheduled surgery.
- Encourage your child to drink clear liquids such as Pedialyte, Gatorade, or Powerade until 2 hours before the procedure. Avoid milk and dairy products, and pulp-containing smoothies.
- For babies and toddlers between 6 months and 3 years old, solid foods can be consumed until 8 hours before surgery.
- Breast milk, formula, or milk can be given to babies until 6 hours before the scheduled procedure. Like older children, they can also have clear liquids until 2 hours before surgery.
Bathing Guidelines:
To reduce the risk of your child developing a surgical site infection, it is important to minimize bacteria on their skin. Here are some bathing guidelines:
- The night before surgery, bathe your child with soap and water, and shampoo their hair.
- Do not shave any part of your child's body the day before or the day of surgery.
- Use special disposable cloths moistened with 2% Chlorhexidine Gluconate (CHG) antiseptic solution to prepare your child's skin for surgery.
- After using CHG wipes, do not rinse the skin, shower, bathe, or apply lotions or other personal care products.
- Provide your child with clean pajamas and ensure they sleep in clean sheets the night before surgery.
Medication Guidelines:
- For three days before the procedure, do not give your child ibuprofen, naproxen, or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) unless approved by the physician.
- Until 11 pm the night before surgery, your child can take acetaminophen (Tylenol).
- For two weeks before the procedure, your child should not consume any herbal medications, herbal supplements, fish oil, or other nutritional supplements.
Additional Tips for Preparing Your Child:
- Be honest and provide simple explanations about the surgery, using age-appropriate language.
- Read books or play interactively with dolls and stuffed animals to help your child understand the process.
- Reassure your child by giving them a sense of control, such as letting them choose a comfort item or favorite toy to bring to the hospital.
- Discuss any questions or concerns your child may have about the hospital stay and surgery.
- If possible, be present at the hospital with your child or arrange for another trusted family member or friend to accompany them.
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Reducing anxiety: tips and tricks to help kids feel calm and relaxed before and during surgery
The idea of surgery can be frightening for children, and they may experience anxiety in the lead-up. Hospitals can be intimidating places, but there are many ways to help kids feel calm and relaxed before and during surgery.
Preparation is key
Good preparation will help kids feel less anxious about surgery and speed up their recovery. Parents should explain what will happen during the procedure in an age-appropriate way. Be honest and avoid making promises you can't keep, such as saying it won't hurt. Focus on the benefits of surgery, for example, "after the doctor fixes your leg, you can play outside again". You can also use a stuffed animal to demonstrate what will happen during the procedure, including where the doctors will take their pulse and temperature and where they will make an incision.
Involve your child
Give your child a sense of control by allowing them to choose a favourite toy, stuffed animal or blanket to bring to the hospital. Let younger children be there when you pack for the hospital stay. You can also ask your child to explain the reason for their surgery, which will give you an opportunity to clear up any misconceptions.
Make it familiar
Bring familiar items from home to help your child feel safe. Display printed pictures of family members, pets and places. Ask the hospital staff if siblings can visit. You can also read books about going to the hospital, such as 'A Visit to Sesame Street Hospital' by Deborah Hautzig, which shows pictures of what doctors will look like.
Stay relaxed
Kids can pick up on the anxiety of the adults around them, so it's important to remain calm and positive. Pay attention to your non-verbal cues, such as facial expressions, tone of voice and body language.
Visit the hospital in advance
Take your child on a pre-surgery tour of the hospital to familiarise them with the environment.
Other tips
- Listen to music before surgery to relieve anxiety.
- Watch films or play computer games.
- Ask the hospital staff if you can stay with your child until they fall asleep before surgery, and be there when they wake up.
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The role of the caregiver: how to support your child before, during, and after surgery
The idea of surgery can be frightening and overwhelming for children, and as a caregiver, you play a crucial role in providing reassurance and support. Here are some ways to support your child before, during, and after surgery:
Before Surgery
- Be informed and involved: Attend pre-surgery orientations or programs offered by the hospital to learn about the procedure and how to prepare. Ask questions and gather information to alleviate your fears and those of your child.
- Prepare your child emotionally: Depending on their age, children may express their anxiety in different ways. Use age-appropriate explanations and simple, short statements to reassure younger children. For older children, encourage open communication about their feelings and provide honest answers to their questions.
- Read books and play: Reading books about hospital visits, such as "Bernstein Bears: Hospital Friends" or "Curious George Goes to the Hospital," can help your child understand and visualize the experience. Playing interactively with dolls or stuffed animals can also make the concept of surgery less scary.
- Involve your child in packing: Allow your child to pack a favourite toy, teddy bear, or blanket to bring a sense of familiarity and comfort. Giving them some control over their hospitalization can help alleviate their anxiety.
- Prepare siblings: Involve siblings in discussions and planning activities related to the surgery. It is important for them to understand what their sibling is going through and how they can support them.
- Follow pre-surgery instructions: Adhere to the surgery team's instructions on fasting, bathing, and other pre-operative protocols to ensure your child's safety and avoid delays or rescheduling.
During Surgery
- Be present: Whenever possible, be physically present at the hospital with your child. If you cannot be there, arrange for another trusted family member or friend to accompany your child.
- Collaborate with the medical team: Work closely with the anesthesia team, surgeons, and nurses to create a positive surgical experience for your child. Discuss pain management options beforehand, and be open to their suggestions for distraction and relaxation techniques, such as virtual reality goggles or video projections.
After Surgery
- Provide comfort: Surgery can be a traumatic experience, so give your child lots of love and comfort during their recovery.
- Encourage expression: Continue to encourage your child to express their feelings and concerns during the healing process.
- Stock up on mild, easily digestible foods: As your child recovers, offer them their favourite mild foods and drinks to promote healing and comfort.
Remember, every child is unique, and you know your child best. Adapt these suggestions to fit their individual needs and age, and don't hesitate to reach out to the hospital's support services for further guidance.
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Pain management: understanding the options for managing pain before, during, and after surgery
Surgery can be a stressful and overwhelming experience for children, and they may need to be hospitalised for a few days post-surgery. It is important to prepare your child mentally for the surgery and hospital stay, and also to understand the options for managing their pain before, during, and after the surgery.
Before Surgery
It is important to prepare your child mentally for the surgery. You can do this by reading them books about going to the hospital, using a pretend doctor's kit, and taking them on a pre-surgery hospital tour. You should also explain to them what will happen in simple, short, age-appropriate explanations. For instance, "We are going to the hospital tomorrow. The doctor is going to fix your boo-boo. I will be with you the whole time." You can also ask them to pick a comfort item or favourite toy to bring to the hospital. If your child is older, you should involve them in the decision-making process and be truthful about what to expect.
On the day of the surgery, your child will be given medicine for relaxation, and they may be comfortable going into the operating room awake. An anaesthesia representative will call the day before the surgery to give instructions about eating and drinking. In general, your child should stop taking clear liquids 1 hour before arrival, breast milk 3 hours before, formula or milk 5 hours before, and all other foods 7 hours before.
During Surgery
Your child will be given medicine to reduce pain intravenously, orally, or rectally. The anaesthesia team will meet with you and your child before the surgery to decide on the best plan. After discussion with the anaesthesiologist, one parent may be allowed to stay until the child is asleep.
After Surgery
Some pain after surgery is normal, and it can be managed with medication and other therapies. The health care provider will decide which pain medicine will work best. If the pain can be controlled with acetaminophen, give that instead of an opioid. You should also check how much pain your child is in before giving them pain medicine. You can also comfort your child by giving them familiar items from home, like a stuffed animal, blanket, or toy. You can also rub their hands, arms, legs, or head, and create a calm setting by turning down the lights and putting on headphones with soft music.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several ways to prepare your child for surgery. Firstly, you can read books with your child about going to the hospital, such as "Curious George Goes to the Hospital" and "This is a Hospital, Not a Zoo!". Secondly, you can take your child on a pre-surgery tour of the hospital, which will help them to familiarise themselves with the environment. Thirdly, you can explain to your child in simple and age-appropriate terms what will happen during the surgery and why it is necessary. Finally, you can encourage your child to bring a familiar item from home, such as a stuffed animal or a favourite toy, to help them feel safe and comfortable during their hospital stay.
It is generally recommended that a parent or trusted caregiver is present at the hospital to provide support and reassurance to the child before and after the surgery. In some cases, one parent may be allowed to stay until the child falls asleep before the procedure. However, it is important to follow the hospital's guidelines and discuss specific arrangements with the surgery team beforehand.
There are several strategies to help reduce your child's anxiety and make the experience less overwhelming. Firstly, you can involve your child in the planning process and give them a sense of control, such as letting them choose which items to pack or pick out a comfort item to bring to the hospital. Secondly, you can use visualisation techniques or interactive play to help your child understand and familiarise themselves with the surgical process. Lastly, you can encourage your child to express their feelings and ask questions, addressing any misconceptions or fears they may have.
