General anesthesia for children during a cold | General anesthesia for a cold

General anesthesia for children during a cold

General anesthesia is more often used in children than local anesthesia, as they often do not yet understand the circumstances and become restless in the unfamiliar situation. In principle, children have the same risks of a general anaesthetic as adults. However, the risk of complications affecting the respiratory tract is higher for children than for adults because their respiratory tract is very sensitive.

It is therefore particularly important to ensure that the child is free of infection. This also includes a cough or cold. If the child suffers from a cold, the operation should be postponed, because more often than in adults a crampy condition of the respiratory tract occurs (laryngospasm, bronchospasm). The surgeon should therefore be informed immediately if a cold occurs near the time of the operation.

Caesarean section possible despite a cold?

If a caesarean section (planned or unplanned) is imminent, it is essential to consider the form of anaesthesia. If the patient suffers from a cold, there is an increased risk of complications for a general anaesthetic. If the airways were to swell up during the procedure, sufficient oxygen supply for mother and child cannot be guaranteed.

The child may suffer lifelong consequences. In order to avoid this risk, a spinal anaesthesia should be performed. This has no effect on the central nervous system, but is limited to one area. Therefore, the patient’s respiratory center does not have to be inhibited by medication and artificial respiration is not necessary. For both mother and child this is the safer method in case of a cold.

Taking medication before general anesthesia

If medication is taken because of a cold, it is essential to inform the anesthetist. It is particularly important to avoid taking aspirin (e.g.B. for cold-related headaches), as this drug has a blood-thinning effect and represents a considerable surgical risk.

This leads to increased bleeding when taking aspirin. Also over other medicines, e.g. antibiotics, which are to be taken with a bacterial infection, the physician should know and must decide even and/or in consultation with other physicians whether the operation can be accomplished. Permanent medication, such as Marcumar for blood thinning, should be considered in any case.