Preanesthetic Preparation of the Pediatric Patient

The most important aspect of preanesthetic preparation is to optimize any coexisting medical conditions. But it also includes a focused history and physical exam, appropriate choice of laboratory tests that will influence anesthetic management, the assignment of a preoperative fasting interval, and the psychological and pharmacologic preparation of the child and their family. Since the original writing of this chapter, there have been some important changes in the way pediatric patients are prepared for anesthesia, such as changes in fasting intervals and methods of preoperative anxiolysis.