Your child is having surgery? Now what?

We'd like to share with you what you can do yourself to be as prepared as possible for your child's surgery and what to expect before, during and after.

Preoperative questionnaire

Before every surgery, you should fill out a preoperative questionnaire found in mynexuzhealth. This is to clarify your child's general state of health. This is important for the purpose of anaesthesia and monitoring body functions during surgery.

If you wish, you can make an appointment with an anaesthesiologist before the surgery for additional information regarding anaesthesia or sedation.

vpk aan onderzoekstafel D2 pediatrie

How do you prepare your child?

  • Before surgery, your child should not eat or drink anything for quite some time to avoid nausea during surgery.
  • Give your child a bath the night before.
  • Don't mislead your child but tell the truth. Not sure what to say? Ask a nurse for help.
  • Let your child feel that it is okay to be afraid of the procedure. Don't minimize the fear, but don't overdo it either.
  • Babies and toddlers can only make it known through crying that they are anxious. Being patient is important.
  • School-aged children are more independent but continue to need their parents' presence.
  • Bring a stuffed toy or personal item so your child has a hold on them.
  • Your child will be admitted to the pediatric unit. You are always welcome to visit the department beforehand. This way your child will already be familiar with the environment.

Rules at the pediatric ward

Your child must be sober for surgery. Coffee will be provided for parents who stay in the pediatrics department (D2) while the child is in the operating room. It is best not to eat or drink in the presence of a child who must remain sober or has just returned from surgery.

Arrangements will be made with the doctors when your child may eat again after surgery. Do not give water on your own initiative but discuss it with the nurse.

During day care, both parents may accompany their child. Outside of that, the department's normal visiting hours apply: from 14h30 to 20h30.

The pediatrics department has a nice, spacious playroom where the children can play, draw, do crafts, read or watch TV with the play supervisor. If your child has to stay in bed, you can get washable toys in the playroom. We do ask that you leave the playroom orderly at all times. Cleaning up applies to everyone.

Each week the Mediclowns visit sick patients.

The surgery

Your child will be prepared in the doctor's office. The nurse will ask you to undress your child and ask some necessary questions. Then weight, height and body temperature will be measured. Your child will be given a surgical gown to wear. One parent may go along to the operating room. A nurse will pick you up from the waiting room when the surgery is over so that you can support your child as they wake up.

In the operating room

The doctors and nurses wear blue and green suits and have hats on. The anaesthesiologist reassures your child and, if necessary, starts the infusion. This drip will give your child adequate fluids and any medication during surgery.

Usually your child is put to sleep with a mask where they are allowed to blow into a 'balloon'. During the surgery, the anaesthesiologist has constant control over such things as heart rate, breathing, blood pressure, oxygen levels and so on.

The recovery room

After surgery, your child will be taken to the recovery room. This is a separate room near the operating room. Here your child will be observed for a while by the nurses. From then on, you can accompany your child again. There may still be tubing connected to the body temporarily. The anaesthesiologist decides when your child may return to the room and administers medication in case of pain.

Children can react differently to anaesthesia. Patience is important here. After a short period of time, your child will become more aware of the environment again.

For the first few hours after the procedure, you should not give your child anything to drink or eat. The nurse will tell you when you can give some water. A little later the surgeon will come to the room and explain the course of the operation. He will give additional consultation and prescribe any medication. He will also prepare for you the forms related to school absences, circumstance leave or for your hospitalization insurance.

Complications

After surgery, nausea and even vomiting may occur. Allergic reactions may also occur since your child will be in contact with all kinds of substances to which they may be allergic without knowing it. If a tube is inserted into the trachea for ventilation, it may cause hoarseness for several days after surgery. Occasionally there are worse effects. This is exceptional and may be due to the anaesthesia, surgery or a pre-existing disease condition.

Practical info

On mynexuzhealth, you will find personal data in addition to your preoperative questionnaire. Your reports, appointments and invoices are collected here. During your stay, you can also use the app to choose your own meals. If you follow a specific diet, the options are automatically adjusted.

Go to www.mynexuzhealth.be or download the app:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=be.nexuzhealth.mobile.mynexuz&hl=en&gl=US

https://apps.apple.com/be/app/mynexuzhealth/id1459856321

When you register, the reception will ask you to sign the admission declaration. In this document you declare your final choice of a single or double room. This choice will affect the cost.

Read here more about the format of your bill.

Departments

For more information about admission, please visit the children's department (paediatrics). If you would like more information about anaesthesia or sedation, please make an appointment with one of our anaesthesiologists.

Paediatrics

Anaesthesia