Pre-operative management and vascular access

Abstract

The surgical procedure performed by the paediatric surgeon forms only a part of the continuum of care provided by paediatric surgeons to their patients. The operation is preceded by pre-operative management involving the assessment and optimisation of each individual patient for the surgical procedure. The operation itself is then followed by a post-operative course where the patient's recovery is followed and managed appropriately. This chapter deals with preoperative management in the paediatric patient with specifi c reference to vascular access. © 2009 Springer Berlin Heidelberg.