171 Ashley Ave.
Charleston, SC 29425
843-792-1414
800-424-MUSC
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Day Prior to Surgery
 Eating and Drinking Guidelines Before the Operation:
The rules for no eating or drinking before surgery are called "nothing by mouth" or
NPO guidelines. Infants, children and teens must follow these guidelines to keep
them as safe as possible during their surgery. Your child's surgery will have to be
canceled or delayed if these rules are not followed.
- Stop all foods including milk at midnight the evening before the surgery. This
includes candy and chewing gum.*
- Clear liquids (water, Pedialyte, apple juice, white grape juice, Sprite) can be offered
up to 2 hours before you must arrive at the hospital.
- Remember, your child will be hungry and ask for food and drink. It is very important that these rules are followed. Keeping your child occupied with toys, movies and other distractions will help him through this time.
- When you receive your preoperative call, the medical staff will give you more
specific instructions, including information for nursing infants.
* If you have been instructed about a special bowel preparation, these guidelines will be different. Please consult the Pediatric Surgery team if you have any questions.
How will I know where to go and the time to arrive?
SAME-DAY SURGERY/AMBULATORY
For Same-Day Surgery/ Ambulatory Surgery, you will receive a call the working day
before your child's surgery to tell you the specific location for check-in on the day of surgery. Same-day surgery is performed in both Rutledge Tower and the MUSC
Hospital. Please remember that it is important to arrive on time the day of surgery.
If you have not received a call to instruct you on arrival, please contact the Pediatric
Surgery Office at (843) 792-3851.
OVERNIGHT SURGERY
Surgeries requiring post-operative admission are most often performed in the MUSC
Hospital. You will receive a call the working day before your child's surgery to tell
you the specific location for check-in on the day of surgery. Please remember that
it is important to arrive on time the day of surgery. If you have not received a call to
instruct you on arrival, please contact the Pediatric Surgery Office at (843) 792-3851.
ADMISSION PRIOR TO SURGERY
Occasionally patients have to be admitted to the Children's Hospital prior to surgery.
If your child is scheduled for admission prior to surgery, please arrive at the admitting
office in the MUSC Hospital by noon on the day of the scheduled admission.
Day of the Surgery
Before the Operation
Pre-operative Holding
You and your child will be taken to the holding room from either the waiting room or
your inpatient room. Waiting for surgery can be a stressful time for your child. There
are a variety of toys, activities, and videos available for all age children and teens.
The nurse in the holding room will take your child's vital signs, usually including
temperature, weight, pulse and respirations. A hospital gown will be given to your
child to wear into the operating room. Please be sure to remove all jewelry, nail polish
and barrettes. Your child is permitted to take a comfort item, such as a stuffed animal
or special blanket, into the operation.
Pediatric Anesthesia
While in the holding room, you will meet a team of specially trained physicians and
nurses who provide anesthesia. They will discuss your child's medical history and
make sure he is in the best physical condition prior to surgery.
The anesthesiologist's main job is to keep your child safe and without pain or memory
during surgery. This is accomplished with general anesthesia, regional anesthesia,
sedation or a combination of techniques.
With general anesthesia, your child will
become unconscious by breathing anesthesia gases and/or by receiving medications
via an IV. Regional anesthesia numbs the part of the body where the operation is
occurring and is accomplished with a spinal, epidural, caudal injection or other nerve
block.
Finally, sedation is medication given through the IV and makes your child
sleepy. You will have the opportunity to discuss the anesthesia plan and address any
specific questions when you meet your anesthesia team in the holding area.
As with all areas of medicine, there are risks associated with anesthesia. Unfortunately,
surgery without anesthesia is usually not possible or safe for your child. Some of the
risks are predictable, and some are not. We will do our best to minimize the risks.
Common side effects include headaches, nausea, vomiting, sore throat and bruising of
blood vessels. Serious complications are rare. We feel it is an honor to take care of your
child and look forward to further discussions on the day of surgery.
After Your Child Goes to the Operating Room
Once your child leaves for the operating room with the anesthesia team, you will wait
nearby in the surgery waiting area. If you need to leave for any reason while your child
is in surgery, please check out with the reception desk. When the operation is over,
your child's surgeon will come talk with you in the waiting area.
After the Operation
You child will be taken to the recovery room, also known as the Post Anesthesia
Care Unit (PACU), after the operation. Immediately after surgery, your child may
look swollen or puffy. He may receive oxygen, have an IV and be attached to leads
to monitor his heart and oxygen saturation.
The OR nursing staff and anesthetist
will give a report on your child to the PACU nurse, and this nurse will make sure your
child is comfortable. As soon as possible, the PACU nurse will call for you to come be
with your child. Up to two adults are encouraged to stay with your child during the
recovery period. Because of space and safety concerns, siblings are asked to stay in
the waiting room with adult supervision.
Your child will stay in the recovery room until
he is stable and ready for discharge from the hospital or to be moved to the pediatric
floor/Pediatric Intensive Care Unit if admission is planned or indicated.
Recovery After the Operation
Once your child is discharged from the hospital, you will be given appropriate instructions
for the care of your child, follow-up appointments and pain medication if indicated.
Be sure to talk to your child's nurse about any questions or concerns you have. Should
you have any questions or concerns after discharge, please contact the Pediatric
Surgery Office at (843) 792-3851 or page the Pediatric Surgery Resident on call at
(843) 792-2123. We are always available to take your calls.
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