WWYD: general anesthesia at 3mo

Zriseon3

My 1 week old daughter has what's called a type B supernumerary digit. It's an extra finger attached to her pinky by a stalk of skin like a skin tag.  There are no bones connecting the digit to her hand. We took her yesterday to see a plastic surgeon about having it removed and he wants to put her under general anesthesia at 3 months.  The anesthesia is similar to what they use for dental work.  From all of my research and from friends I've talked to who have had one removed from their kids, it was done in the office with a local anesthetic. The surgeon said he will remove it, put in a stitch or two, and put a band aid over it.  I just can't seem to justify my 3 month old going under for a procedure that will take 10-20 minutes.  They used to just tie off the skin tag and wait for it to fall off but that is known to cause nerve damage so they want it surgically removed.  A friend of mine said that her daughter had one and the doctor removed it while they were still in the hospital with basically a pair of scissors.  When I asked the plastic surgeon why he wanted to use general instead of local he said so that they could keep her hand completely still which will leave a smaller scar.  Would you put your kid under simply so that there would be a smaller scar, especially when research is showing that general anesthesia under the age of 3 can cause developmental delays?  I see the pediatrician in a couple weeks and I plan on discussing it all with him and I'm also thinking about getting a second opinion from another plastic surgeon.  But there aren't many children's plastic surgeons around.  Anyway, I will add a picture of the finger when I get to my phone so you have an idea what I'm talking about. I'm just curious what other people would do or have done in the situation.

melaport

I would definitely get a 2nd opinion even if it meant traveling a bit to do so.  

coolwhipz1

Well you are talking about two different things. If its a local then she WILL NOT be asleep. Just her hand numb. General is where you are put to sleep.

So which is it? You said it's what is used for dental procedure (I am actually a dental assistant) and we use local. Just the area of the injection is numb, and you are awake.

Seems like you've misunderstood a little. I would bet that she would be just getting local for something like that.

coolwhipz1

You said it's what is used for dental procedure (I am actually a dental assistant) and we use local. Just the area of the injection is numb, and you are awake.

There are many times when dentists use more than just local anesthesia. I doubt OP is confused about this. For example, when I had my wisdom teeth removed, it was done with some level of sedation. At the hospital where I work there are several dentists who come in weekly to the OR to work on kids with significant teeth issues under anesthesia. OP, I'd be reticent to allow my 3 month old to be put under anesthesia as well. I would make the drive to get a second opinion.

 

 

****stuck in box

It is true that sometimes you are sedated when having dental work done, but that is entirely different than the anesthetic, general or local. It is possible they would give her iv sedation, but that is not considered an anesthetic. Local anesthetic is ONLY getting that specific area numb. OP didn't say anything about being sedated.

OP I would get definitely get clarification on what exactly they are planning with this procedure. Something like that I would not guess she would needed to be put under but they may want to sedate her, whether with an IV or orally. I would get the second opinion.

Zriseon3

I know the difference between local and general. The doctor said general and there are different kinds of general anesthesia. With this route she would be put into a sleeping state via general anesthetic delivered through a breathing mask to keep her still and he said he would then use a local anesthetic to perform the procedure.

outnumbered

I would get a second opinion.  My daughter had surgery on her herniated umbilicus.  We waited until she was 7.   The pediatrician, the surgeon, and the anesthesiologist  all said they do not like to give general anesthetic to a child under 6.  I am not a doctor but that does like it could be done with a local.  My husband has had some precancerous moles removed.  Of course he is an adult and knows to be still, but it always done with a local injection.

Shoecrazysarah

Just wanted to point out that they don't put LO's under general for circumcision. It seens as if there is an even less margin for error during circumcision. Of course, they are much younger and more sleepy but still...

I'd get the second opinion.

Zriseon3

Thanks everyone. She has an appt with her pedi so I will ask him about it.

MommyEllenSue

I think a second opinion would be good especially since you seem uneasy about it. However I would trust a Dr. a lot more than a bunch of internet strangers. This Dr. has been trained for this and has obviously done the surgery before. Talk to your pediatrician and get their opinion. However I would rather my child go under general anesthesia and it be done right than risk nerve damage. My 7 year old son was put under general anesthesia four times before the age of 5 and he has never had any developmental delays. Not once did any of his Dr.'s show any concern about putting a child under 6 under.