What happens before the operation?
Preliminary examination and treatment plan
Our team of specialists takes time to inform our young patients and their parents in advance about the disease and all necessary preliminary examinations. Unfortunately, surgery is sometimes unavoidable for children. If necessary, psychological support is also available for children and families.
A therapeutic concept is developed together with all the necessary specialist disciplines. During treatment, constant support from the same contact and care persons is always striven for, if possible.
Voruntersuchung und Therapiekonzept
Unser Spezialistenteam nimmt sich Zeit, unsere junge Patientinnen und Patienten und deren Eltern im Vorfeld sehr gut über die Krankheit und alle notwendigen Voruntersuchungen zu informieren und aufzuklären. Operationen bei Kindern sind leider manchmal unumgänglich. Bei Bedarf kann auch eine psychologische Betreuung der Kinder und auch der Familie stattfinden.
Gemeinsam mit allen nötigen Spezialdisziplinen wird ein Therapiekonzept ausgearbeitet. Bei der Behandlung wird nach Möglichkeit immer eine konstante Begleitung durch die gleichen Ansprech- und Betreuungspersonen angestrebt.
Admission to hospital
For planned procedures, admission to hospital is usually one day before the operation. If possible, a child should be gently prepared for the hospital stay by their parents and the care team in order to avoid anxiety. To help with this, there are child-friendly books or our “Kinderinsel” app.
What happens during the hospital stay?
At the hospital
A hospital stay is always an extraordinary and challenging situation for children and parents. You should feel well cared for and supported here, and you are welcome to approach the doctors and nursing staff on the wards at any time if you have any concerns.
Visits and Overnight Stays for Parents
Children need their parents to get well. Therefore, parents of our young patients are welcome to stay with their child around the clock, both day and night. For extended hospital stays, parents also have access to the Ronald McDonald House as accommodation.
School
The patient school supports children and adolescents aged 4–16 who are in the hospital for extended or frequent stays, helping them stay on track with their schoolwork. Starting from the fifth day in the hospital, attending the patient school is mandatory if the patient’s health allows it.
How does a neurosurgical operation proceed?
During a neurosurgical procedure, a high safety concept with innovative monitoring techniques is in place. The surgical procedure in pediatric neurosurgery is a carefully planned process designed to provide the best possible care and safety for our young patients.
The operation is performed in a state-of-the-art operating room with a specialized team of anesthetists. This team monitors our patients closely to prevent any discomfort during the operation. Parents can accompany their child to the operating room and stay with them until they fall asleep. Afterwards, the pediatric neurosurgeon and any other specialists involved in the treatment come to prepare the child.
To ensure surgical safety and avoid deficits, we use state-of-the-art innovative surgical techniques here at the Inselspital, such as
Afterwards, depending on the surgery, the child will be monitored in the intensive care unit or in the recovery room. The family is usually able to be with their child again shortly afterward and is informed about the progress of the operation. As soon as intensive monitoring is no longer necessary, our young patients are transferred back to the ward. The further therapy plan is then discussed with the parents and implemented.
What happens after the operation?
Additional services
With children, many social aspects must be considered to ensure that they—and their families—feel well supported. In addition to comprehensive medical care, a holistic concept also includes an integrated patient school, an educational support program and a dedicated neurorehabilitation unit. This range of services is further enhanced by supplementary therapies and counseling.