Bittersweetie Posted November 2, 2012 Share Posted November 2, 2012 My two-month old (who was a preemie) needs to undergo some surgery that requires general anesthesia. They were going to postpone it until he was bigger at six months, but a complication has come up and he may need the surgery sooner. My pediatrician is speaking with the urologist to determine the best course of action, whether to do all the surgery earlier, do two surgeries (one now for the immediate concern, one later for the rest of the concerns), or split the difference. I'm a little freaked out in general about the anesthesia and surgery, and that he may have to undergo it sooner than I anticipated. My question is, has anyone had surgery for their infants? What questions to ask/advice do you have as my H and I start to work through this? Thanks. Link to post Share on other sites
whichwayisup Posted November 2, 2012 Share Posted November 2, 2012 I can't advise you much when it comes to infants and surgery, but I do want to give you my best and hope all goes well. Trust these Dr's they know what they are doing. Good thoughts only! Link to post Share on other sites
Balzac Posted November 2, 2012 Share Posted November 2, 2012 Is surgery to take place in the US? Link to post Share on other sites
carhill Posted November 2, 2012 Share Posted November 2, 2012 My personal anecdotes with friend's children/grandchildren have been generally positive, with regard to subsequent disability/neurocognative impairment related to anesthesia and infants. Given the nature of the procedures and that surgery on an infant is generally a very serious choice to make, it can be difficult to separate out the anesthesia issue from the issues it is to be used to facilitate repair. Here's an article on the subject from Oxford University: Early childhood general anaesthesia exposure and neurocognitive development My advice would be to use the shared expertise and experience facilitated by the internet along with the advice and experience of your medical professionals in evaluating the risks and benefits; if this surgery must take place, then the education can help with accepting the potentials. Perhaps your research and subsequent questions can open up new and different lines of potential treatment. Best wishes for a positive resolution. Link to post Share on other sites
CarboniteCammy Posted November 2, 2012 Share Posted November 2, 2012 OMG I'm so sorry! That's a good question for a pediatric nurse/doctor. I don't have an answer for you. I just hope all goes well!! Link to post Share on other sites
Author Bittersweetie Posted November 2, 2012 Author Share Posted November 2, 2012 Thanks for the comments, I am doing research online to look into this more. My H and I had been talking about seeing if the original surgery could be delayed until he was older...then yesterday we found out about the complication that might necessitate having it sooner. Caught us off guard. We like and trust our pediatrician a lot, she's very practical and no-nonsense, and the hospital is a nationally (US) renowned hospital that only specializes in treating children. Link to post Share on other sites
pteromom Posted November 2, 2012 Share Posted November 2, 2012 My son was a preemie and had surgery when he was 8 weeks old. It was ok though. Actually, when he woke up from anesthesia and I was sitting there panicking with worry hoping he was ok was the first time he smiled at me. I am sure your child will be OK. Link to post Share on other sites
Author Bittersweetie Posted November 3, 2012 Author Share Posted November 3, 2012 My son was a preemie and had surgery when he was 8 weeks old. It was ok though. Actually, when he woke up from anesthesia and I was sitting there panicking with worry hoping he was ok was the first time he smiled at me. I am sure your child will be OK. Thanks Pteromom, it's nice to hear from someone who's been through this. And he must've wanted to help you feel better so he gave you the smile! 1 Link to post Share on other sites
SlevinKalebra Posted November 15, 2012 Share Posted November 15, 2012 (edited) Hopefully this will help. My son was born at twenty four weeks gestation, six months and 37 minutes, the minutes being key because without them he would not have been beyond the point of viability (in other words they would have not asked or provided any life saving actions) in his first weeks of life they performed a PDA valve (flap separating the chambers of the heart) closure. an inguanal hernia repair, two main line IV insertions into major arteries. Ok with all that said I had extensive talks with the specialists including the anesthesiologists. These people are AMAZING they really are specialists just like heart or brain surgeons. They do not usually work with adult patients because they are so specialized. They know exactly how to take care of children. There is always an inherent risk with anesthesia and operating on little ones but imho (and experience) trust the doctors. I know it's scary as Hell but they are the best at what they do. Best wishes my heart goes out to you and yours Edited November 15, 2012 by SlevinKalebra wanted to add warm regards to OP Link to post Share on other sites
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