FAQs

There is no paediatric anaesthesia qualification in South Africa, but all my anaesthetists work primarily with children and have vast experience in the field. I never work with an anaesthetist who only sometimes does paediatrics. www.southernanaesthetics.co.za

The key to preparing your child for their operation is to tailor your explanations and activities to your child's age and level of understanding. You know your child best, so you will be able to gauge what they will be able to understand and when. Here are a few pointers we give to parents beforehand:

Solid food and formula milk – 6 hours pre-op Breast milk – 4 hours pre-op Clear sweet liquids – 2 hours pre-op. This can be black tea with sugar, apple juice, grape juice etc. If you can read the newspaper through the juice, your child can have it. Please check with us if you are

Unfortunately, surgical operations require hungry tummies. This can be very distressing for both parents and children, but it is vital to adhere to the feeding guidelines before entering the theatre. When your child is anaesthetised, their body, including the stomach and reflexes, relax. So any food or fluid in your child's stomach will flow up

We want your child to be as comfortable as possible in the theatre, so they may come dressed in whatever they prefer. We will dress them in hospital clothes when they are asleep. They may also bring a favourite toy or blanket into the theatre. For children older than 6 months, one parent or guardian

Most small procedures are day cases. This means that you will bring your child to the hospital on the day of the operation, and they will be discharged on the same day. We advise bringing your little one some toiletries and a change of clothes just in case they are required to stay overnight. You

Abscesses Appendicitis Buried penis Cancer surgery, including insertion of chemo ports, biopsies and tumour excision Circumcision for medical or religious reasons (Please note that circumcision performed on children under the age of 16, for any other reason, is a prosecutable offence as per section 12 of the children's act 2008) Congenital abnormalities (congenital disabilities), e.g.

My practice is centred on your child's comfort, so no painful procedures are carried out in the rooms. Please don't tell your children to "behave or the doctor will give them an injection!" I don't have any needles and my interaction with your child becomes impossible if they are afraid of me.