What Every Parent Should Know Before a Child Has Surgery

Is your child about to go in for surgery?

It doesn't get much more terrifying than this for parents. You're entrusting the most precious person in your life... to a bunch of people you just met.

The good news?

The majority of pediatric surgeries have perfect outcomes. "Majority" does not equal "all" though, and the difference could alter your family's life.

Here's the reality no one wants to talk about. Surgical errors are far more common than hospital would like you to believe. According to the World Health Organization, surgical treatment causes 1 in 10 cases of preventable patient harm during health care treatment. That's 1 in 10 when it's your child undergoing surgery.

So what can you actually do about it?

Plenty. And it all starts long before your child reaches the operating room.

The site simplifies what every parent should look, ask and watch for. And if the unthinkable happens, how a medical malpractice settlement works could help keep your family safe when you need it most. Resources such at https://verdictvictory.com/medical-malpractice/ explain how a medical malpractice settlement works and if your family may have a valid claim worth pursuing.

Let's dive in.

What You'll Discover:

• Why Children's Surgery Is Different

• The Questions Every Parent Must Ask

• Understanding Anesthesia Risks

• What Informed Consent Really Means

• Spotting a Medical Error Early

• How a Medical Malpractice Settlement Works

Why Children's Surgery Is Different

Here's something a lot of parents never think about...

Performing surgery on a child is completely different from performing surgery on an adult. Children have smaller windpipes, higher heart rates and bodies that process medications differently. Something that would be a safe dose for an adult may be lethal to a five-year-old.

That means the margin for error is razor thin.

Kids can't always explain what's going on, either. They have a hard time telling you about pain or that something doesn't feel right. That's why everyone on the team has to be extra careful -- and you do too.

Bottom line: Your child should see a surgeon and anesthesiologist who specializes in caring for children. Not one who does so "occasionally."

They see cases like these every week. That experience is what will keep your baby safe.

The Questions Every Parent Must Ask

Don't be shy here. This is your child.

A competent surgical team will not mind your questions. If they brush you off or act annoyed... RUN.

Before the surgery, make sure you ask:

• How many times have you done this exact procedure on a child?

• What are the risks, and how often do they happen?

• Who will be in the operating room, and what are their qualifications?

• What warning signs should be watched for during recovery?

Take notes. If something is unclear, ask. You have every right to feel comfortable before you sign any paperwork.

Oh, and one more thing... find out who you should call if you run into a problem after you leave. If they have confident answers to that question, they've done this before.

Understanding Anesthesia Risks

When it comes to anesthesia most parents dread this phase the most. And deservedly so?

Errors in administering anesthesia are among the most severe complications possible during your child's surgery. Too much or too little medication, overlooked allergies and inadequate monitoring can result in actual injury within minutes.

So before the big day, make sure the team knows:

• Every medicine your child takes

• Any allergies or past bad reactions

• Whether your child has been sick recently

Make sure your child is being cared for by a specialist paediatric anesthesiologist, not a general one. Find out exactly who it will be. This ONE question can change everything.

What Informed Consent Really Means

Signing a consent form is not just paperwork.

"Informed consent" means the physician has explained the procedure and outlined the risks and benefits as well as other options -- and he or she has done so in terms you can understand. If you weren't sure what you were getting into, that's an issue.

Think about it:

You can't give informed consent for your child's care if no one took the time to explain the risks. Meaningful informed consent safeguards you and your family. When it's waived or hurried, it may become part of a medical malpractice settlement down the road.

Never sign something you don't understand. Ever.

Spotting a Medical Error Early

Surgery doesn't end when your child leaves the operating room.

A lot of preventable injury can occur before surgery as well. But also after the procedure. So don't zone out on recovery.

The Joint Commission recorded 1,575 serious safety events in 2024 — up 13% from 2023. These were incidents like wrong-site surgeries, medication errors and retained surgical items.

Watch closely for:

• Unexpected fever, swelling, or bleeding

• Pain that seems worse than you were warned about

• Confusion, drowsiness, or trouble breathing

• Anything that simply doesn't feel right

Trust your instincts. You know your child better than anyone else in that building. If something doesn't feel right, speak up -- and persist until someone listens.

How a Medical Malpractice Settlement Works

Let's say the worst happens... and your child is harmed by a preventable mistake.

What then?

A medical malpractice settlement means the hospital or doctor pays your family for the damages done to you -- without having to take the case all the way to trial. In fact, most cases are settled. It can be quicker, less stressful and easier on a family that has already suffered enough.

A medical malpractice settlement can help cover things like:

• Extra medical bills and future care

• Therapy and rehabilitation

• Pain and suffering

• Income lost from time off work

But here's the most important part. Not all bad outcomes are malpractice. There are real risks involved with surgery, even when everyone performs their job flawlessly. Malpractice is when a provider doesn't meet the standard of care that is accepted by the medical community -- and your child is injured as a result.

If you think that may be the case then obtain your records as soon as possible. Request the entire chart, operative notes and medication administration record. The earlier you demand these, the better.

Putting Your Child First

Nobody wants to imagine surgery having complications. But preparing for the worst doesn't make you a negative thinker. It makes you an advocate for your child.

Remember, you have far more power here than you think. You can:

• Ask hard questions and expect clear answers

• Insist on specialists who treat children every day

• Read every form before you sign it

• Stay alert all the way through recovery

• Know your rights if something does go wrong

Most operations conclude with a smiling, healthy child going home. But should the unthinkable occur and a preventable error is made, knowing how a medical malpractice settlement works will ensure you never feel helpless.

Your child depends on you. Show up knowing your stuff, stay engaged, and don't be shy--speak up!

That's how you give them the safest outcome possible.