Your child's stomach must be empty before a general anaesthetic. Follow these instructions to help your child get ready for an operation, test or treatment.
Local anaesthesia is used to numb only part of the body. Learn about it, when it is usually used and the different ways it can be given.
Vaginoscopy is an examination of the vagina using a tiny tube and camera. Learn about when vaginoscopy is used and what to expect during the procedure.
This page describes the use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the diagnosis of arthritis.
An MRI may be used to assess spines with scoliosis. Find out more about MRI procedures as well as when and why they are used.
Learn about medications used to enhance pain management. Medications such as corticosteroids, anti-depressants, and sedatives are discussed.
Learn what to do if your child is at risk for malignant hyperthermia and has to have surgery.
Learn what a thyroid biopsy is and why it is done. Also find information about what will happen to your child before, during and after the procedure.
The general surgery team focuses on a wide variety of congenital anomalies and acquired diseases of the digestive tract, abdomen, chest and lungs, head and neck, and endocrine organs.
Learn what angiography is and how it is done using image guidance.
Learn about surgical teams committed specifically to children with heart conditions.
Learn what happens during an MRI so your child knows what to expect.
Appendectomy is an operation to remove the appendix. Your child may need an appendectomy if they have appendicitis (infection of the appendix).
Learn some important things to keep in mind when making a decision about epilepsy surgery, such as surgery goals, risks and possible complications.
Discover how gastrostomy (G) and gastrojejunostomy (GJ) tubes are placed, how to prepare your child for the procedure and what to expect once the procedure is complete. The majority of this page is specific to children who are patients at SickKids.
Learn what a nephrostomy tube is and how it is inserted using image guidance.
A cerebral angiogram uses X-ray imaging and contrast dye to create a map of the blood vessels in the brain. Learn more about how it is performed.
A skin and muscle biopsy removes a small piece of skin and muscle tissue. Learn about the procedure and why and how it is done.
Learn about MRI arthrograms, what they do and why your child would need one.
Learn what a liver biopsy is, why it is required and how to prepare your child for the procedure.
A drainage catheter is a soft flexible tube placed into the pleural space around the lung. The tube drains fluid that is compressing the lung and restricting breathing. Learn about the insertion procedure and how to care for the drainage catheter.
Find out what should be done prior to having an operation for scoliosis, such as when to stop eating and what to bring to the hospital.
Discover how an MRI helps identify the parts of the brain where epilepsy starts.
Learn how to be well-prepared for your child's surgery so your day goes smoothly, avoid delays or cancellations.
Learn what a bone biopsy is and how it is done using image guidance.