Peds Outpatient Surgery

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UCLA Health pediatric surgeons specialize in delivering outstanding surgical care to every child. Call 310-206-2429 to connect with an expert.

Many surgical procedures in children that do not require hospitalization can be performed in our specialized UCLA Ambulatory Surgery Center. By minimizing the administrative time that parents frequently spend with procedures performed in the hospital setting, we are able to provide first-rate pediatric surgical and anesthetic care more efficiently in the outpatient surgery center. Pediatric anesthesiologists and ancillary staff are able to provide the same outstanding perioperative care as given at UCLA Mattel Children's Hospital.

Group of kids smiling and giving a thumbs up

Our team approach is to minimize threatening or scary events to the young child as they are prepared for the surgical procedure. "Gas-first" anesthesia is utillized when possible to avoid the "trauma" of IV placement, etc. A comfortable and accommodating waiting room is immediately adjacent to the recovery room. Postoperative recovery is routinely performed in private rooms for children so that parents may stay with their child immediately after the surgery. Children are awakened from anesthesia and are usually able to go home about 1 hour after the surgical procedure is completed. Postoperative instructions are given and prescription medications can be obtained through the on-site pharmacy prior to going home.

Common procedures performed on children in the outpatient center include:

  • Correction of undescended testes or circumcision
  • Placement and/or removal of vascular access devices
  • Removal of cysts or benign lumps on the head, neck, trunk, or extremities -anorectal procedures
  • Removal of surgically placed hardware (e.g. pectus deformities)
  • Repair of umbilical and inguinal hernias

Preoperative Instructions for Ambulatory Surgery Center

The surgery will take place on the 6th floor in the 200 Medical Plaza (Suite 660). Please be sure to call (310) 794-1087 after 3pm the day before surgery to find out the time you need to arrive. It is very important that you call because there may be a change in scheduling.

Your child will be placed under anesthesia for this procedure. It is very important for your child to have nothing solid to eat or drink before surgery (time based on age). Solids include all non-liquids as well as milk, milk products, breast milk and formula. Clears include water, apple juice, Kool-Aid, clear soda, Pedialyte, chicken broth, and Jell-O without fruit. Solids are allowed: up to 4 hours before surgery for infants 0-6 months old; up to 6 hours before surgery for infants 6-36 months; and up to 8 hours before surgery for any child greater than 6 months old. Clears are allowed: up to 2 hours before surgery for infants 0-6 months old and up to 4 hours before if greater than 6 months. For children 4 years of age and above, we recommend nothing to eat or drink after midnight the day of surgery. Anesthesia requires an empty stomach.

If your child develops a cold within a few days prior to the day of surgery please contact your surgeon to reschedule. We would like your child to be healthy for the surgery so he/she can recover quickly. The signs to look for are cough, runny nose, fever, sore throat and/or ear infection/pain.

Your child will be in the recovery room for approximately 1 hour after surgery. He/she will then be discharged and you may return home. Please contact your surgeon to schedule an appointment 1-3 weeks after the day of surgery, as directed.

Contact

(310) 794-1087