KidsUrologyCare.comDr. Parviz Hajiyev
AZRU+994 50 444 30 35

Preparing your child for surgery: a checklist for parents

Getting your child ready for planned surgery: documents, medicines and allergies, fasting, illness before surgery, what to bring and how to talk to your child.

Written by: Dr. Parviz Hajiyev, European Board-certified pediatric urologist (FEAPU).

Quick answers

Fasting
Follow the anesthesiologist's and hospital's instructions exactly.
Your child is sick
If your child has a fever, cough or cold, let the hospital know before the day of surgery.
Medicines
Unless the doctor says otherwise, regular medicines are given at the usual time.
Talking to your child
Explain honestly, at your child's level, and answer their questions.

Documents and previous results

Bring the following to the hospital in one folder:

  • your child’s ID and all the paperwork the hospital has given you;
  • previous test results: ultrasound, X-rays, CT or other scans, and lab results;
  • discharge summaries from previous operations and hospital stays.

If your child or anyone in the family has had a problem with anesthesia, be sure to tell the anesthesiologist and bring any documents you have.

Medicines and allergies

  • Write down every medicine your child takes: its name, dose and when it is given. Include vitamins and herbal products.
  • Bring the medicines in their original packaging. At the hospital, the nurse will ask about medicines and allergies again, and a ready list makes this easier.
  • If your child is allergic to a medicine, a food or anything else, note when the reaction happened and what it looked like.
  • Unless the doctor says otherwise, give regular medicines at the usual time. Ask the anesthesiologist in advance which medicines to continue and which to stop, and do not stop any medicine on your own.

Fasting

The anesthesiologist and the hospital will tell you when your child must stop eating and drinking before surgery. Follow these instructions exactly. If your child eats or drinks during the restricted time, do not hide it: the operation may then be delayed or moved to another day, but the doctor needs to make that decision. For the general rules and the reasons behind them, see anesthesia in children.

If your child gets sick before surgery

If your child develops a significant cough, a cold, a fever or another infection in the two weeks before surgery, call the hospital ahead of time. The anesthesiologist decides whether the operation can go ahead.

Questions to ask ahead of time

A few days before surgery, check the answers to these questions:

  • when your child needs to stop eating and drinking;
  • which medicines to give on the morning of surgery;
  • what time to arrive at the hospital;
  • whether a parent can stay with the child until anesthesia begins;
  • how long your child will stay in the hospital.

What to bring

  • Your child’s favorite toy, blanket or pacifier.
  • A book or quiet game for an older child.
  • Loose, soft clothes and underwear.
  • Diapers and feeding supplies for a baby.

Your child should not wear jewelry, makeup or nail polish.

How to talk to your child

  • Be honest. Explain what will happen in words that suit your child’s age, and encourage questions.
  • For young children, talking about it the day before is often enough; for older children, a few days before.
  • Explain that the operation will help them get better or improve their condition.

For the days after surgery, see care at home after surgery.

Note for pediatricians and family doctors

A referral for planned urologic surgery should list the child's underlying conditions, regular medications, allergies, previous test and surgical results, and any previous anesthetic problems in the child or family. Families should tell the hospital about a significant cough or cold, fever or infection within 2 weeks before surgery; the anesthesiologist decides whether to postpone. Regular oral medications are continued at the usual time unless the anesthesiologist advises otherwise. Fasting times are set by the anesthesiologist's individual instructions.

What happens at the visit?

  1. Before surgery, we ask about your child's medical conditions, medicines, allergies and previous anesthetics.
  2. Fasting times and the plan for the day of surgery are given in writing.
  3. We answer your questions before the day of surgery.
Book on WhatsAppPediatric Urology Center, Badam Medical Center, Baku

Frequently asked questions

My child ate something by mistake this morning. What should we do?

Do not hide it; tell the hospital or the anesthesiologist right away. Eating may mean the operation is delayed or moved to another day, but this is for your child's safety.

When should I tell my child about the operation?

For young children, the day before is often enough. Tell older children a few days ahead, in a way that suits their age, and answer their questions honestly.

Should I give my child's regular medicines on the day of surgery?

Unless the doctor says otherwise, regular medicines are given at the usual time with a sip of clear fluid. Ask the anesthesiologist in advance which medicines, if any, should be stopped.

Related topics

Sources

This information is for educational purposes and does not replace medical advice. Decisions about your child’s treatment are made with the doctor after an examination.

Updated:

Book on WhatsApp