Do children need to know? Clinical and ethical concerns With caregivers not telling children about surgery

Abstract

On the morning of surgery, the mother of a 5-year-old child scheduled for G-tube placement after several months of NG-tube use due to inadequate nutritional intake, informed the clinical staff that she had not discussed the procedure with the child, expressing concern about his reaction. The patient was known to exhibit anxiety in medical environments, with particular distress when faced with unexpected procedures or changes in routine. He had no prior knowledge of the planned G-tube surgery. Members of the clinical team suggested that they help the mom provide developmentally appropriate preparation to the child while in the pre-op area, emphasizing the importance of honest, trauma-informed communication and noting that the child would wake with the tube and might experience confusion or distress if unprepared.

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