General considerations

This chapter covers the general considerations in safely and effectively performing paediatric surgery. It starts with the ethical and legal requirements, including withdrawal of treatment, treating children in the Jehovah’s Witness faith, and safeguarding. It then outlines evidence-based medicine, including meta-analysis, statistics, and reporting trials. Transport of the sick child, anaesthesia, analgesia, intensive care, sepsis, and the use of antibiotics in children are all covered. Day-case surgery, from its history to indications, pre- and postoperative care, and proper documentation, is described. Pre-assessment, care of the neurologically impaired child, basics of vascular access and radiology, and nutrition in the surgical patient are all covered.