Mask anaesthesia

If placing an IV is difficult, mask anaesthesia can be performed. For children up to the age of 10, we generally use mask anaesthesia since small children typically do not allow themselves to be poked with a needle. For this type of anaesthesia, a mask is placed over your child's mouth and nose. Oxygen and sleeping gas will be administered through the mask. As with adults, for children older than 10, we prefer to administer anaesthesia using an IV.

An IV is preferable as it enables the immediate administration of medication. What’s more, the experience of inhaling anaesthetic gas is typically considered unpleasant.

Latest publication date: 11/01/2024
Supervising author: Dr Vanoverschelde Henk