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Anesthesia for ENT Surgery

Before Surgery

Before the operation, your child will be assessed and prepared for surgery. You will be asked questions about your child's medical history, allergies, current medications, previous anesthetic experience and current health status. Your child's airway, heart and lungs will be examined. If your child is running a fever, wheezing, has a productive cough or cold, or vomiting and diarrhea, your anesthesiologist may choose not to do the procedure for your child's safety.

Our goal is for your child to feel safe and happy in our environment. A member of the nursing or Child Life Department will explain what the day will be like in a child-friendly manner.

If your child is extremely anxious, they may be sedated with a medication that can be taken by mouth 10 to 15 minutes before going to sleep for surgery. This helps relax the child, makes separation from the parents smoother and often helps the child not remember the experience. But most children do not need this sedative.

During Surgery

For placement of ear tubes, a short general anesthetic is given and maintained by having your child breathe anesthetic gas through a mask. Placement of an intravenous line (IV) is normally not needed.

Anesthesia providers will monitor your child closely during surgery. They use equipment to check the heart's electrical activity, blood pressure and oxygen levels in the blood.

Children normally recover within 15 to 20 minutes, with minimal side effects. The whole process, from surgery until discharge, usually takes about an hour.

General anesthesia for tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy usually begins by having your child breathe anesthetic gas through a mask. In older children, an intravenous (IV) may be used. Children anesthetized via a mask will receive an IV line once they're asleep. Once your child is asleep, the airway is kept open by the placement of a breathing tube and the use of anesthetic gases.

Anesthesia providers will monitor your child closely during surgery. They use equipment to check the heart's electrical activity, blood pressure, oxygen levels in the blood and breathing (measuring inhaled oxygen and exhaled carbon dioxide concentrations).

During surgery, your child will receive medications to treat pain, prevent nausea and vomiting, and reduce airway swelling.

After Surgery

Common side effects may include drowsiness, sore throat, nausea and vomiting, and noisy breathing.

The IV is usually in place until your child is ready to go home. Children normally spend about an hour in the Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU).

Most children who have their adenoids / tonsils removed will receive a dose of acetaminophen (Tylenol®) during their stay. Please check with the Recovery Room nurse so that the next dose of acetaminophen may be given at the correct time at home.

Some patients may need to be admitted to the hospital after a tonsillectomy or adenoidectomy. Please plan for the possibility of an overnight stay. These include patients who:

• Have sleep apnea (breathing stops for 10 seconds or longer during sleep)
• Are younger than 3 years old
• Have other significant medical problems
• Live far away from Cincinnati Children's
• Have breathing problems, nausea and vomiting after surgery