Step 1: Before Surgery
Preparing Your Child & Fasting (NPO) Guidelines
Pre-operative fasting is critical for your child's safety during anesthesia. Strictly follow the fasting guidelines provided by the surgical and anesthesia team regarding solid food, breast milk, formula, and clear fluids.
- Never offer food or drinks beyond the instructed fasting cutoff time.
- Comfort and reassure your child emotionally without inducing anxiety.
- Ensure all diagnostic reports, blood tests, and prior prescriptions are kept in hand.
Step 2: Home Recovery
Post-Operative Wound Care & Hygiene
Keeping the surgical dressing clean and dry is vital for normal tissue healing. Administer prescribed pain relief on time as advised by the doctor.
- Do not wet the surgical site until authorized by the surgeon.
- Administer prescribed analgesics and antibiotics at scheduled intervals.
- Prevent the child from scratching or tampering with dressings.
When to Contact the Surgeon Immediately
- Post-operative high fever (above 100.4°F or 38°C)
- Persistent active bleeding, discharge, or foul smell from the wound
- Uncontrolled pain and continuous crying despite taking prescribed medications
- Repeated vomiting or complete refusal/inability to retain fluids