Do they do anything different in or before pediatric surgery?

Yes!: Pediatric surgery is a specialty. The surgeon has special training, and the nurses will set up different instruments depending on the type of surgery that is needed. For very small babies and very sick children, special expertise is needed. The anesthesiologist will be familiar with the drug doses and small breathing tubes that may be required. The operating room will be kept warmer than normal.

Yes: With pediatric patients we usually start the IV after they are asleep. They go to sleep with gas then they do not feel anything painful. We also use a pediatric anesthesiologist as the physiology of and infant or child is vastly different from that of an adult.

Yes: Depending on the child's age, they may be given a medicine by mouth/nose to help the child relax and have little/no memory of the event. In general, IV's are placed after the baby is asleep so there is no discomfort. THe anesthesiologist (puts the baby asleep) is specially trained to manage your baby while asleep.