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What is anesthesia?
 
Anesthesia or deep sedation is a special state of sleep that prevents feeling (sensation) and memory during the surgery or procedure. The anesthetic is stopped when the procedure is done, allowing your child to wake up.
 
Types of anesthesia
 
Anesthesia can be given in several ways. It can be given into an intravenous (IV) tube placed in a vein usually in your child’s hand. The IV is most often started in the operating room after the skin has been numbed with a special cream. The anesthesia medicine works very quickly.
 
Anesthesia can also be given as a gas through a clear plastic mask. The gas does not hurt but has a different smell. The anaesthesiologist will decide which is the best type for your child.
 
After your child is asleep, the anaesthesiologist may also decide to inject local anesthetic near the area of your child’s surgery. This is done to help minimize pain when your child wakes up. These procedures will be discussed with you before your child goes into the operating room.
 
For information about anesthesia, sedation and pain management, we recommend the following literature, available in the Family Resource Library.
 
Procedural sedation and analgesia
Pain in infants, children, and adolescents
Post anesthetic care unit (PACU)
Continuous epidural anesthesia
Discharge information after sedation medication
The first 24 hours after a general anesthetic
Helping your child to cope with pain and stress after surgery