Patient Education

Regional anaesthesia numbs the surgical site. It can be used as the sole anaesthetic technique or combined with a general anaesthetic.

Find out more about anaesthesia in these videos:

Click on the following brochures for more information:

Click on the following brochure on Pain Relief Options in labour:

Pain Relief Options in Labour

Click on the following brochure on General Anaesthesia in children:

General Anaesthesia in children

Additional information to help prepare your child for the upcoming surgery:

Fasting guidelines

Children aged <6 months (a nurse will confirm the actual fasting time with you)

6 hours before op time for baby food/solids
4 hours before op time for breast or formula milk - max 200mls
2 hours before op time for clear fluid (water, clear sugared drinks or clear fruit juice without pulp) - max 100mls

Children Aged >6 months – 12 years old

AM Surgery (To complete by 2AM on the day of surgery)
FOOD - ONLY ONE OPTION OF: baby food OR 2 plain biscuits without filling OR maximum of 2 slices of bread with fruit jam	DRINK - ONLY ONE OPTION OF: breast or formula milk OR milky drink (e.g. soya milk, Milo, Horlicks). Maximum volume of 200mls (approx. 1 cup).
AFTER 2AM, 200mls of clear liquids can be consumed up to 2 hours before operation time.
PM Surgery (To complete by 6AM on the day of surgery)
FOOD - ONLY ONE OPTION OF: baby food OR 2 plain biscuits without filling OR maximum of 2 slices of bread with fruit jam	DRINK - ONLY ONE OPTION OF: breast or formula milk OR milky drink (e.g. soya milk, Milo, Horlicks). Maximum volume of 200mls (approx. 1 cup).
AFTER 6AM, 200mls of clear liquids can be consumed up to 2 hours before operation time.

How do I prepare my child who has special needs for surgery?

Being in hospital can produce fear and anxiety in all children. This is especially true for children who are sensitive to new environments. At NUH, we are committed to working with you to help your child undergo his/her surgery successfully. We would like to hear from you about your child's care and coping needs. This can help us to personalise an anaesthetic plan for your child. We have a child life therapist who can work with your child through play before the operation. This can help him/her cope with the peri-operative experience better. Please contact us for more information if you would like the child life therapist to help.

Useful Resources

If you need more information and materials to prepare your child before surgery, please visit the following sites: