Humane Surgical Positioning During Minor Limb Surgeries Under Local Anesthesia in Young Children

Area of Science:

• Pediatric emergency medicine
• Child psychology
• Surgical nursing

Background:

• Emergency room environments can exacerbate pain, anxiety, and fear in injured children.
• Parental anxiety can negatively impact a child's emotional state during medical procedures.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe and evaluate the "humane position" technique for minor surgical procedures in children.
• To assess the impact of parental physical closeness on child comfort and reassurance during emergency procedures.

Main Methods:

• The "humane position" involves a parent holding the child on their lap, positioning the affected limb away from the child's direct view.
• Surgeons and instruments are strategically placed behind the parent to minimize visual triggers, especially during active bleeding.
• The technique leverages physical intimacy to foster a sense of security and reduce distress.

Main Results:

• The "humane position" promotes feelings of security, comfort, relaxation, and reassurance in children undergoing procedures.
• Minimizing visual stimuli and maximizing parental contact appears effective in mitigating procedural anxiety.

Conclusions:

• The "humane position" is a valuable, non-pharmacological approach to improve the experience of children during minor emergency surgical procedures.
• Parental involvement and physical closeness are critical components in managing pediatric procedural anxiety and pain.