The pediatric anesthesia specialists at AAPA understand that when a child has surgery, it can be a stressful and emotional time for the parents and family. Our anesthesiologists and CRNAs will try to make this a positive experience for both you and your child. Below are some common questions that parents often ask. If you have additional questions, please don't hesitate to contact us at 612-452-0858.
Yes! In most cases you can accompany your child into the induction or operating room and hold your child as they fall asleep. A staff member will then escort you to the family waiting area.
For safety reasons, only one person may accompany the child into the operating room.
We make every effort to include parents in the child's recovery as soon as possible.
It is important to follow the pain management instructions that you receive from your surgeon. If your child received pain medications that include Tylenol (acetaminophen) in the recovery room, it is important to wait six hours before giving any additional Tylenol, or medications that may contain Tylenol.
Unless there are restrictions due to the type of procedure that your child had, your child can eat or drink as soon as they are awake enough to safely swallow food or liquids. Start with small sips of liquids, popsicles, and soft, bland foods.
The Children's Hospital website is an excellent resource for parents. You can find it at www.childrensmn.org. If you have a question specifically related to anesthesia, please don't hesitate to contact us.