Pediatric Surgery
We strive to make surgery a positive experience for children and their parents. It is important to prepare yourself for your child’s surgery. Parents who understand what their child will go through before, during and after surgery at Mass Eye and Ear can control their worries and send the message to their child that everything will be okay.
Pre-Operative Guide for Pediatric Patients
This guide will provide you and your family with everything you need to know to make your child’s experience as comfortable as possible, including:
- A checklist of what you may need to bring to the hospital
- What to do the night before surgery
- When your child should stop eating and drinking
- And more
View our Pre-Operative Guide for Pediatric Patients
Pre-Admission Teaching Tours
In order to help prepare your child for surgery, a pre-admission teaching tour is available with our Child Life Specialists. These tours of the pediatric unit explain what to expect on the day of surgery. During the tour, we will walkthrough how the day will go and look at an anesthesia mask/IV and other hospital equipment. This also provides a time for you and your child to ask questions prior to surgery and ease anxiety around the unknown.
To schedule a teaching tour, please contact our Child Life Specialists at 617-573-4184 or childlife@meei.harvard.edu.
A Day in the Life of a Pediatric Surgery Patient
The following video shows what Sam, a Mass. Eye and Ear patient, and her parents, experienced on her day of surgery. Please note: There is a real anesthesia induction during the video that shows the stages and effects of anesthesia. We recommend that you take the time to view the video yourself prior to sharing with your child.
Important Information for Parents
Prior to your child’s surgery, we suggest that you read the following tips, listed by age, to help prepare your child for their hospital visit.
Development Stage
At this stage, infants learn through their senses and are very attached to their primary caregivers.
Stressors During Hospitalization
- Separation from parents
- Stranger anxiety
- Impaired soothing needs (can lead to crying and irritability)
What You Can Do to Help Your Child
To help this age range cope with their time in the hospital, parental presence is essential. We empower parents to hold their infant. You will not hurt your baby with the IV line and pulse oximeter. Talk to your baby before touching, and limit the number of caregivers in the room. Common distraction tools are: light-up and pop-up toys, music, touch and singing.
Development Stage
As children develop in this age range, mobility increases greatly, language starts to develop, and attention spans are short. At this age, children do not have a strong sense of time. It is normal for children this age to resist treatment.
Stressors During Hospitalization
- Stranger anxiety
- Loss of control and mobility
- Back-laying (feeling vulnerable)
- Loud noises
- Sudden movements
What You Can Do to Help Your Child
When you are scheduled to visit the hospital, it is not necessary to tell your child weeks in advance. You can start to read books about the hospital a few days in advance (see recommended reading. Have them pick out a stuffed animal or favorite toy to bring with them.
Use soft words to describe the experience. You can say, “The soft, squishy mask will help make you feel sleepy,” or “Take a nap so nothing hurts.”
To help them cope in the hospital, allow for them to walk or move around and use simple explanations. Light-up toys, music, videos, bubbles, and books are helpful for comforting your child. Sitting up or lap sitting is reassuring for children in the OR. Talk to them as they go to sleep and hold them to reassure everything will be okay.
Development Stage
Children in this age range become very egocentric. Their language becomes strong and they have magical thinking. The concept of time is still limited and misconceptions develop from lack of understanding.
Stressors During Hospitalization
- Fear of separation from parents
- Fear of the environment and medical equipment
- It is normal to see their behavior regress; they may choose a baby toy and speak like a baby
- They can get irritable, throw tantrums, and become angry
What You Can Do to Help Your Child:
Start to read hospital books a few days in advance (see recommended books [link to future blog post]). Tell them they are coming to the hospital to help them feel better. Reassure them they have done nothing wrong to avoid guilt.
Use soft language and be realistic and truthful. Avoid words like cut, bleed, or shot and correct any misconceptions.
Have them bring a favorite item from home. Keep them busy and distracted through play, movies and music. When going into the OR, allow them to play with the anesthesia mask if interested. They can pick their scent to breathe and stickers to decorate to make it their own. Explain, “This squishy mask will help you feel sleepy,” or “Take a nap so nothing hurts.”
For frequent patients, we can offer common medical equipment such as a mask, pulse oximeter, hospital PJs, hats, gloves, band aids, and gauze to take home. They can play with the objects at home with stuffed animals and dolls. This will desensitize the equipment and may open questions to help ease their concerns.
Development Stage
Children in this age range have developed good friends and are very involved in school. They develop concrete thinking and are active learners. They understand their body and have increased participation in their self-care.
Stressors During Hospitalization
- Fear of loss of bodily control and competence
- Fear of pain, death, and anesthesia
- Behavior can become withdrawn, regressed, or depressed
What You Can Do to Help Your Child
It is important to talk to them about why they are going to the hospital. Ask if they have any questions or concerns. Reassure them it’s normal to feel nervous. Let them participate in their care.
Allow for them to bring a favorite handheld game, movie, book, or craft activity. We will also offer these interventions during their stay.
Explain anesthesia techniques to them so they won’t feel surprised. For example, “The anesthesia gas is strong smelling.” Talk about coping techniques. For example, “Would it be best to take 10 deep breaths, close your eyes, listen to music, or play a game while breathing with the mask?”
Development Stage
As adolescents develop, their bodies are constantly changing. This contributes to their self-esteem and need for privacy. They are identifying their interests and strengths and socialization is very important to them.
Stressors During Hospitalization
- Fear of loss of control and independence and restriction of activities
What You Can Do to Help Your Child
Adolescents may become defensive and uncooperative. Be sure to involve them in the planning of their surgery. Encourage them to write down concerns and questions they may have. They should be a part of their care plan. Talk about their fears and be very honest. Allow them to bring music devices and tablets or they can use ours that are offered.
