Does my child really need surgery? Is there no alternative?
Almost all parents ask this question when they are advised surgery for their child. And why not? I too would ask the same question, maybe even repeatedly. We bring up our children with so much love and care. We try to avoid inflicting any pain on our children.
Modern parents are overly protective of their children. We try to shield them from any unpleasant situation.And then suddenly, the pediatric surgeon goes:
“Your child needs surgery to correct this problem”! The parents’ hearts sink.
As soon as they get home, they will frantically search the internet. The very next day, they will scour the city, seeking a second and a third opinion, which gives them a glimmer of hope that they can avoid surgery.
Alternative Medicine to the rescue?
If they find that there are no pediatric or general surgeons that say that your child does not need surgery, the parents will then fall back on Alternative Medicine. Almost all homeopaths or Ayurvedacharyas will try their hand at trying to treat many non-emergent pediatric surgical conditions non-surgically. If the disease is such that it shows up intermittently or one that flares up intermittently, then it may seem that temporarily at least the situation got better with alternative medicine.
A classic example when the child has a hernia or hydrocele. The condition by its intrinsic nature is such that the swelling will appear intermittently. The parents may not see a swelling for days, and if fortuitously, the homeopath has started medications just before this period, all concerned (the parents and the doctor) are mighty thrilled that they have beaten the condition by simple medicines.
Unfortunately, in the case of Arjun, who I had seen a year back and had advised surgery, this led to a lot of anxiety and danger. The apprehensive parents sought a homeopath who started them on some medications. The child was well until he presented one year later with an “obstructed” inguinal hernia. Now, this was an entirely avoidable situation, and both the homeopath and the parents were equally to blame. Fortunately, for Arjun, we were able to reduce the obstructed hernia and then take up the child for planned surgery. But not all children are this fortunate.
Some surgeries are indeed optional and can be avoided or postponed.
Yes, of course, there are times when one may safely prevent surgery. And if not, then it can be most definitely postponed. Most other times, children need surgery when advised, and it would be highly risky, indeed downright dangerous to try and avoid surgery.
Is general anesthesia risky for my child?
Most parents are very anxious about general anesthesia more than the surgery itself. Everybody has read horror stories about how a child did not come out of anesthesia. In fact, general anesthesia in the hands of an excellent pediatric anesthetist, in a well-equipped hospital with an outstanding pediatric surgery department, is extremely safe. In fact, it is much more reliable than crossing the road!
Generally, there has been a trend of moving away from administering general anesthesia in children. On many occasions, your pediatric anesthetist will prefer to administer regional or local anesthesia. This choice either eliminates the need for general anesthesia or significantly reduces the dosage of drugs required. It leads to faster recovery with lesser potential side effects. You need to trust your pediatric anesthetist. They are highly trained and skilled professionals.
Pediatric Surgeons – the most humane of doctors!
I sincerely believe that pediatric surgeons are extraordinary doctors.
By its very nature, pediatric surgery attracts the most humane, the most empathetic among the medical professionals.
Many pediatric surgeons are parents themselves too, and very well know the joys, the anxieties and the trials and tribulations of being a parent. Pediatric surgeons receive three long years of training after basic general surgical qualifications and understand the fears and concerns of parents very well.
We say that children need surgery only when we believe that there is no alternative to surgery to relieve the child of suffering. Sometimes, among many options, an operation is the faster, kindler and gentle option.
