"As an expert in pediatric anesthesia, I'm dealing with two sets of parties: the parents, who are overwhelmingly concerned, and the child, who is fearful." Doctor Dinner, Anesthesiologist of New York Presbyterian Hospital Weill Cornell Medical Center, explains the differences between pediatric anesthesia and adult anesthesia, but notes how successful pediatric anesthesia has been despite the inherent challenges.

Doctor Dinner:



As an expert in pediatric anesthesia I'm dealing with two sets of parties, the parents who are overwhelmingly concerned and a child who is fearful.



Anesthesia for pediatrics is not merely translating medical techniques that are applicable to older people down to the size of an infant, toddler and small child. Children are governed by a different set of pharmacologic, physiologic and other concerns. Our prime purpose is to provide comfort and safety.



The track record is extraordinarily good in caring for children and our morbidity and mortality rates are infinitesimally small. One can pretty much expect if you have a healthy child come into the operating room for a procedure that the child will undergo the anesthetic successfully and emerge safely and comfortably.