Anesthesia and Your Child: What to Expect

General anesthesia provides total loss of consciousness and complete absence of pain during surgery. Your child will sleep through the procedure and wake up with little-to-no memory of what has happened. Our pediatric anesthesiologists are very skilled and experienced in safely administering anesthesia medications to children of all ages. They will be present throughout the procedure to monitor and ensure your child’s safety.

General anesthesia may be administered in different ways. Sometimes it is given as a gas through a breathing mask. This method allows the child to breathe anesthesia medicines until they fall asleep. Other times, anesthesia is given directly into the bloodstream through an IV. Sometimes both a breathing mask and IV are used. Your child’s anesthesiologist will call you the evening before your child’s procedure and talk with you about which method is recommended. Please make sure we have the best phone number to reach you, and make a note on your calendar so you will be available to talk with the anesthesiologist.

Food and Drink Before Surgery

For your child’s safety, it is very important that you follow the feeding instructions below. If they are not followed, we may need to postpone or cancel your child’s procedure.

• 8 Hours Before Surgery: On the day of the procedure do not give your child any food or non-clear liquids for 8 hours before the surgery. Examples of prohibited food and liquids are:
  • Juice you cannot clearly see through: such as orange, mango, or guava
  • Milk and milk products (including formula)
  • Hot and cold cereals
  • Cookies and crackers
  • Chewing gum and candy
• 6 Hours Before Surgery: Because breast milk is different from formula, your child may have breast milk until six hours before the surgery.
• 4 Hours Before Surgery: Your child may drink clear liquids up until four hours before the surgery. See the section on clear liquids outlined below.

Although we state that children should not eat before their surgery, if they have an afternoon appointment, you may feed them prior to 8 hours before surgery. Ex: A child with an appointment at 2:30 pm may eat a big breakfast at 6:30 am and then fast the next 8 hours.

Clear Liquids

No matter their age, your child is permitted to drink clear liquids until four hours before you are scheduled to arrive at the Surgery Center. Non-clear liquids and juices which you cannot see through, such as orange, mango and guava juice are considered “food” regardless of pulp content, and must be discontinued when other foods are discontinued. Clear liquids that are permitted until four hours before arrival at the Surgery Center are:

• Water
• Clear apple juice
• Gatorade
• Clear Juicy Juice
• Clear Jell-O
• Water-based popsicles
• Clear soda
• Pedialyte

What if My Child is Sick the Day of Surgery?

If your child has any unexpected medical problem or illness before their surgery, such as fever, persistent cough, vomiting, or diarrhea, please call us at 971-229-8777 right away as the surgery may have to be rescheduled.

How to Prepare for Before, During and After Surgery?

Before Surgery

Please have your child wear loose and comfortable clothing, preferably with short sleeves. They may bring a favorite stuffed animal or blanket for comfort. Please leave valuables such as necklaces or bracelets at home.

You will need to arrive at the Surgery Center at your scheduled arrival time. This allows the nursing staff, your anesthesiologist, and your dentist to better prepare you for your child’s surgical experience. Plan on spending approximately 3-5 hours at the surgery center.

When you arrive, please check in at the Admitting desk. Once you are registered at the Admitting desk, the nursing staff will begin preparing your child for surgery.

The dentist and anesthesiologist will meet with you before surgery. They will answer your questions and review the treatment plan and options for anesthesia, working together with you to plan your child’s care.

During Surgery

Your child will be taken into the operating room by the nurse and anesthesiologist and you will be directed to wait in the surgery waiting area.

A parent or documented legal guardian is required to stay in the Gateway Medical Building or communicate with the Surgery Center staff if they choose to sit in their car in the parking lot. – They must not leave the immediate area of the medical building during the surgery, as the procedure could end early or the doctor may need to speak with them regarding the child’s case.

Recovering and Going Home

Your child will go to the recovery area (PACU – Post Anesthesia Care Unit) directly from the operating room. The dentist will come and talk with you about the surgery. Under the guidance of one of our pediatric anesthesiologists, our nurses will monitor your child until they are fully awake and ready for discharge.

Once your child is awake, you will be taken back to the recovery area. The nurse will review discharge instructions and give you a paper copy before you leave the facility.

Your child will need to be under the supervision of a responsible adult for the next 24 hours. If you have any questions or problems after you leave the surgery center, please contact your dentist immediately.

Arrange For Transportation to Our Facility

Please plan to have a ride to and from this appointment. Oregon state law requires all children to be transported in proper safety seats. Failure to have a proper safety seat available for when your child is discharged will likely result in the rescheduling of your child’s appointment.

Medical transportation is available to take you to and from the appointment if needed. You may contact Ride2Care at 503-416-3955. They require a reservation to be made prior to the appointment. You will need to give them your child’s medical insurance plan information, the date of the procedure, and the appointment time. Please tell them that we will call when you are ready for your return ride.