Vol. 7, Issue 1, Part A (2025)

The delivery of anesthesia to children and young people presents unique challenges, necessitating a specialized and comprehensive preoperative evaluation and preparation process. This paper outlines a structured, multifactorial framework aimed at enhancing safety, minimizing perioperative risk, and improving the overall experience for pediatric patients, their families, and healthcare teams. The approach encompasses meticulous information-gathering, detailed physical and airway assessments, and the management of comorbid conditions such as asthma, congenital heart disease, and epilepsy. Psychological preparation and the inclusion of parents in the process significantly reduce anxiety and contribute to smoother induction and recovery phases. Updated guidelines regarding preoperative fasting are reviewed, emphasizing liberalized intake of clear fluids to optimize hydration without increasing the risk of aspiration. The role of multidisciplinary teams, including anesthesiologists, pediatricians, nurses, and child psychologists, is emphasized as critical in delivering holistic care. Integration of digital tools-such as electronic health records and educational mobile apps-further enhances communication, engagement, and compliance. This study advocates for risk-based stratification using validated tools like the ASA classification, Mallampati score, and the Wilson risk score to tailor anesthetic plans. The findings underscore that individualized, child-centric strategies and early intervention can significantly reduce day-of-surgery cancellations and improve both clinical outcomes and parental satisfaction. This paper proposes that with standardized, anticipatory planning, and family-centered care, pediatric anesthesia can be delivered more safely and effectively across varied clinical contexts.