Starting anesthesia using a mask

  The mask is placed over the patient's nose and mouth. A mixture of oxygen and anesthetic gas is carefully adjusted by the anesthetist as the patient drifts off to sleep. We are alert at all times for possible problems which could pose a risk for the patient while consciousness is altered.

  Adults and older children will generally have an intravenous line in place before being moved into the operating room. Awake IV placement can be traumatic and difficult for younger children and infants, so the line is usually placed after the child has been lightly anesthetized with a mixture of nitrous oxide and oxygen. Once the IV is established, the patient's level of consciousness is slowly "deepened" using additional anesthetic agents such as cevoflourane.