18 Month Old Baby To Have Op

[annieigma]

Hi,
My granddaughter has some broken glass in her foot, the hospital want to put her under, then cut the heel and remove it. how safe is the gas? would you go ahead or look for alternative ways , such as local pain releif etc.? Very worried, as tomorrow is the day.
Annie.

[sherrardk]

If this is what they suggest then it is probably the right thing to do. I would imagine she would be very distressed and unable to keep still if she was awake.

[anneasquith]

id think it best for her to be asleep during the procedure,

[woofgang]

newborns have heart surgery these days. I know its very scary but honestly it will be fine.

[annieigma]

You are totally correct. we tried yesterday,in the hospital and it was almost useless trying to keep her foot still, her leg we could hold, but her foot was all over the place, thats why they said it must be general, not local..

[lady-janine]

best wishes to you all especially little one

[anneasquith]

annie, why are they waiting until tomorrow to remove the glass ?

[black_cat51]

the problem is you don't want the child to become fearful of doctors/medical procedures because you've held her down and something unpleasant has happened to her. it sounds like it will be a short op

[woofgang]

if she's having a general anaesthetic, they need to get a paediatric team in which may not have been possible today.

[fairycakes69]

My grand daughter had to get an op on her ankle due to a very nasty spider bite, she was 11 months old. She recovered so quickly we couldn't believe it. I know it's a worry, but trust in the surgeons, it will all be fine.

[sherrardk]

Sorry, friend emergency, meant to say - try not to worry (although perfectly normal), they know what they are doing. Hope she recovers quickly.

[Yasmine_Kelly]

I am assuming that the doctors have decided that this is the best option for your granddaughter. However if you are worried ask the doctors or surgeons. I know from experience that they are willing to answer any questions you have on the operation and will explain things to you.

[Sqad]

She will be at greater danger from a road traffic accident accident on the way to the hospital than an inhalation anaesthesia.
Normal day at the office for the anaesthetist......routine......no big deal.

anneasquith

\\\\\\\\annie, why are they waiting until tomorrow to remove the glass ?\\\\\

Remember the saying "Fools rush in where angels fear to tread?"
No hurry, a planned procedure is prefereed in any surgical intervention.

[ChillDoubt]

The little one will be fine, try not to worry.
Further to Sqad's post, many hospitals have a policy whereby children under the age of 5 must have the on-call consultant anaesthetist present.
The consultant may have been busy or given other pressing emergencies, lateness of the hour, anaesthetic criteria (when had patient last eaten) etc that it be best to wait until a slightly later (but more agreeable to all) time to perform the surgery.

[ummmm]

My son was put under at a similar age. He was back round in 10 minutes. Try not to worry.

[annieigma]

Hi All,
thanks for all the supportive answers. op done today, 30 mins in surgery, then 2 hours sleeping, woke up as though nothing had happened and wanted food. just seen Her, she's smiling and laughing as usual, just a big bandage on foot. thanks again everyone, much appreciated,helped me sleep last night..
Annie.

[anneasquith]

lovely :)

[woofgang]

good!

[pixie373]

:-)

[Peter Pedant]

She has been put on an "emergency list"
Its tomorrow as they want the child to have an empty stomach.

Glass is a bit fiddly to find - it may not be radio-opaque

Anaesthesia nowadays is very safe. It is much safer than crossing the road - which is actually quite dangerous by a factor of 10 or 100.
and is the region of chance of being killed in earthquake or dying from a bite of a vertebrate other than a dog.

You could always ask the anaesthetist - er doctor, how many children of this age have you anaesthetised ?

[Peter Pedant]

o the evil deed has been done ......

relax !