I am coming for an operation

Reporting

On the day of your admission, you must always report to the nursing ward. The invitation from the LUMC specifies exactly where and when you must report. Please check the invitation via the mijnLUMC patient portal.

To the operating room

Shortly before your operation, we will take you to the entrance of the operating room. This is usually done in a bed, sometimes in a special chair. A holding nurse will meet you at the entrance to the operating room. He or she will take you to the holding area, a kind of waiting room where you will be further prepared for your operation. Here, you will receive an IV, medication, or a spinal block, if necessary.

Accompanying children

Is your child undergoing surgery? In most cases, one parent or caregiver is allowed to accompany your child to the operating room until they are asleep. You (the parent/caregiver) will be given a special suit at the entrance to the operating center. You will put this on over your clothes. You will then accompany your child and a member of staff from the department to the operating room. Once your child is asleep, you will return to the department. You will be called when your child is in the recovery room.

Answering questions for safety reasons

Safety is important to the LUMC. We therefore ask you several times for your name, date of birth, allergies, type of surgery, medical history, medication, and last meal. This may seem like a lot, and it may seem like we ask these questions often. But this allows us to be absolutely certain that you are the right patient for the surgery.

General anesthesia: what is it?

Do you have an appointment for surgery where you will be given general anesthesia? With this type of anesthesia, you will be put into a deep sleep. General anesthesia is also referred to as narcosis. Your entire body will be anesthetized and you will be unconscious. You will not notice or feel anything during the surgery. You will not remember anything afterwards. The sedatives are administered via an IV. You will be ventilated and we will monitor your heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen levels, and the depth of the anesthesia.

IV prior to surgery

On the day of the surgery, you will first receive an IV. This is usually placed in the back of your hand. The anesthetist will then take you to the operating room. In the operating room, you will be transferred from your bed to a narrow operating table.

In the operating room

On the operating table, you will be connected to a monitor. This allows us to monitor your heart rate, blood pressure, and blood oxygen levels during the operation. If you are under anesthesia, we will also measure how deeply you are asleep. We do this using a sticker that we place on your forehead. You will then go through a checklist and your details with the team. We will check that you are the right patient and that the right operation is scheduled. We will also confirm that all the necessary materials are available and discuss what we expect from each other during the operation.

Anesthesia and general anesthesia

At the LUMC, your anesthesia during surgery is administered by an anesthesiologist. Anesthesia may involve, for example, a spinal block or general anesthesia. The anesthesiologist is assisted by an anesthesia technician. After the final check, the anesthesiologist will place a mask with oxygen over your nose and mouth. You will breathe through this mask. Painkillers and sedatives will be administered through an IV. You will first feel dizzy and then fall into a deep sleep. The anesthesiologist will then insert a breathing tube into your throat, mouth, or windpipe. Sometimes you will also be given an additional IV, urinary catheter, or stomach tube. This will have been discussed with you in advance at the outpatient clinic.

During the operation

In addition to administering the anesthesia, the anesthesiologist ensures that all bodily functions remain stable during the operation. The monitor to which you are connected continuously measures your heart rate, oxygen levels, and blood pressure. The surgeon performs your surgery together with the surgical assistants. After the surgery, this surgeon will call your contact person to tell them how it went. If you are awake and feeling well, you will be told immediately how the surgery went.

Recovery room

In the recovery room, the nurse will regularly check important bodily functions, such as your breathing and blood pressure. If necessary, you will be given additional pain relief and other medication, for example to combat nausea. Once the anesthesiologist considers that you have recovered sufficiently from the anesthesia or sedation, you can return to the nursing ward.

Intensive Care (IC)

After the operation, you may not be taken to the recovery room, but to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Here you will receive extra care, for example because your medical condition requires it or because of the operation you have undergone. This is often the case with major procedures, such as heart surgery.

Extra care: Post Anaesthesia Care Unit (PACU)

After your operation at the LUMC, you may also be admitted to the Post Anaesthesia Care Unit (PACU). The PACU is located in the operating complex on the 4th floor, zone J4. This is a department within the operating room center where you will receive 24-hour extra monitoring, just like in the ICU. Admission to the ICU or PACU depends on the surgery and your condition. Circumstances may also arise during the operation that necessitate admission to the PACU. These include unexpected problems or complications during an operation.

When will you be admitted to the PACU?

You will be admitted to the PACU if you require additional monitoring and/or treatment after the operation. This may be the case after major surgery or due to your physical condition, such as heart or lung problems. You will then remain connected to a monitor that displays your heart rate, blood pressure, breathing, and temperature. Sometimes special IVs are inserted to keep a close eye on your heart, for example. Admission to the PACU usually does not exceed 24 hours.

Visits to the PACU

When you arrive at the PACU, you can receive a short visit of up to 15 minutes. Visitors can bring toiletries for you. Pyjamas are not allowed in the PACU, but you can wear them again when you return to the nursing ward. Flowers, plants and fruit are not allowed. The nursing ward will be called and a nurse will bring your family to the PACU.

Regular visiting hours are in the evening from 7:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. A maximum of two visitors per patient are allowed. Visitors can report to the exit of the operating complex and ring the bell at the PACU. They will then be picked up by a nurse.

Information about the patient

We will only provide information about your surgery or procedure to your contact person, whom you have designated in advance. This is to prevent (medical) information from being given to persons who are not entitled to receive it. It is also to limit the number of phone calls to the ward and disturbance to patients. Your contact person may always call for information about your condition.

Contact and location PACU

PACU telephone number: 071 526 14 57
Location: operating complex, 4th floor LUMC, zone J4
Visiting hours: 7:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. (2 visitors per patient)

Complications and side effects

• You will find information about side effects and complications in the information letter you will receive before your operation. You will receive this letter after your consultation with the anesthesiologist (preoperative screening).
• Possible side effects of the operation include nausea and vomiting, hoarseness, and sore throat.
  Complications are fortunately rare. Examples of complications include damage to your teeth and complaints in your legs or arms due to incorrect positioning during the operation.
• Serious complications are very rare. These types of complications are usually caused by a very rare event or are related to your state of health. If you are at increased risk during the operation, the anesthesiologist will discuss this with you in advance.