The Child Having Surgery
Preparing the Toddler for Surgery
Toddlers can certainly benefit from preoperative planning, education, and explanations. This preparation should take place a day or two before surgery since preparation too far in advance can produce more anxiety. Recognizing what is stressful to your toddler while in the hospital can guide you in preparing him/her for the surgical experience. Common stressors and fears in the hospital may include the following:
- being left alone
- having to stay in a strange bed or room
- loss of comforts of home, family, and possessions
- being in contact with unfamiliar people
- painful procedures
- medical equipment that looks and sounds scary
- feeling helpless
Ways to prepare:
- Read books to your toddler about going to the hospital.
- Interactive play with dolls and stuffed animals can help your child be more secure in the hospital environment. The child life department in your hospital can provide this service directly or provide guidance to parents preparing their children at home.
- Give very simple explanations and be careful of the words you use. For example, say, "The doctor is going to fix your arm." Do not say, "The doctor is going to make a cut on your arm."
- Let your child decide which security item he/she wants to bring to the hospital. Include a favorite book and soothing music.
- Stay with your child during hospitalization - your touch and voice will comfort him/her more than anything else. Let the nurses know about your child's usual schedule and his/her likes and dislikes.
- Be patient with your child. It is normal for toddlers to cry and be fussy during this stressful time. Your child may be very clingy and become hard to comfort and console. It is not unusual for your child to regress and have angry outbursts and tantrums. Give a lot of love and let your child know that you will be nearby.
- Remember, too, to take care of yourself. Simplify your life during this time and do not be afraid to ask for help from family and friends. Remaining positive and calm can help reduce your toddler's anxiety.
It is extremely important that you have followed all of the instructions that were given to you by
your child's surgeon during the preoperative visit. The day before surgery, someone will call you
from the hospital to tell you the exact time to bring your child to the hospital. You will be
instructed where to go and when to stop giving your child food and drink. It is very important to
follow these rules. Arriving at the wrong time or allowing your child to eat and drink after the
prescribed times can cause delays in your child's surgery, or perhaps even postpone or cancel it.
It is recommended that you make arrangements for other siblings to be cared for at home. Your
attention needs to be focused on your child having surgery.
Before coming to the hospital, remove any jewelry (i.e., watches, necklaces, or earrings) that
your child wears and leave them at home so they are not misplaced. Also, have your child
remove nail polish so that the color of the nail beds can be observed during surgery and
afterwards.
- Before surgery, you and your child will be taken to the surgical holding room.
- Your child will change into hospital pajamas and the nursing staff will get your child ready
for the operation.
- Your child will be given an identification bracelet to wear and the nurse will check your
child's temperature, blood pressure and oxygen level. None of this should be uncomfortable
for your child.
- You and your child will meet with several people from the surgical team. This includes the
anesthesiologists and operating room nurses. They will ask you many of the same questions
about allergies, medications and your child's medical history. They will also tell you more
information about the operating room procedures.
- Waiting for surgery can be a stressful time for your child. There are a variety of toys and
activities for all age children and teens to use. Playing with toys, reading a story with you,
watching a movie or playing a video game are all good ways to help your child relax and refocus.
- Most often, children are given relaxing medicine to drink (or through an IV for older
children) before they go to the operating room. This helps your child to calmly separate from
you.
- Before your child leaves for the operating room, reassure your child that you will be waiting
close by. If you brought your child's favorite stuffed animal or comfort item from home, this
can go with your child to the operating room. Members of the anesthesia team will take your
child to the operating room. The nurse will show you where to wait while your child is in
surgery.
- When the surgery is over, the surgeon will speak with you and let you know how the
operation went.
After the operation your child will be taken to the recovery room (called the PACU or Post
Anesthesia Care Unit). Once your child is settled in the recovery room you will be able to join
him/her there. Your child will stay here while the anesthesia wears off. Your child's vital signs
will be monitored and your child may be connected to several machines, including an IV
(intravenous) pump. Ask the nurse about any equipment you do not understand. Depending on
the type of surgery, your child may be sent home or will go to:
- The children's unit to recover for 24 hours or less
- The children's unit to recover for several days
- An intensive care unit to recover, then to the regular children's unit until time for discharge.
Fred Rogers. 1988.Going to the Hospital. G. P. Putnam and Sons.
Deborah Hautzig. 1985.A Visit to the Sesame Street Hospital. Random House/Children's Television Workshop.
Richard Scarry. 1995. Big Operation: The Busy World of Richard Scarry. Aladdin Paperback.
Joanna Cole and Bruce Degar. 1989. The Magic School Bus: Inside the Human Body. Scholastic, Incorporated.
Anne Civardi and Michelle Bates. 2002. Going to the Hospital. Sagebrush Education Resource.
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