Editorial: THE PSYCHOLOGICAL DISTURBANCES OF THE CHILD UNDERGOING SURGERY-FROM ADMISSION TILL BEYOND DISCHARGE

The first part of this particular issue is dedicated to the psychological disturbances of the child undergoing surgery-From admission till beyond discharge. It includes five articles addressing the following topics: “Preoperative anxiety”, “Premedication”, “Emergence agitation”, “Postoperative maladaptive behavioral changes” and “The child with behavioral disorders”. Providing anesthesia in busy hospitals is sometimes synonymous with achieving rapid turnover times and coping with the pressure of long operating room schedules. This may be at the expense of depriving the most vulnerable age groups, namely children from an individualized approach which may result in compromised psychological well-being. This may be especially true in hospitals that are not solely dedicated to children. The mental status of children undergoing surgery is a major concern for anesthesiologists and other health care providers. Preservation of the children s psychic safety and taking into account their emotional needs are an integral part of the role of the pediatric anesthesiologist, as well as their physical security.