New Leading-Edge Pediatric Surgical Center

The Henry L. Guenther Foundation Pediatric Surgical Center at Miller Children's is the newest and most state-of-the-art pediatric center in the region. Miller Children's provides surgical care in a family centered environment that comforts children and lessens their anxieties and fears. A caring, compassionate and kid-friendly surgical team includes expert pediatric surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses and surgical assistants, all extensively trained and experienced in pediatric surgical care. From minimally invasive outpatient procedures, to more complex cases, the pediatric surgical center’s seven operating suites are equipped with leading-edge technology designed specifically for the treatment of children.

When patients and their families arrive at the pediatric surgical center, located on the ground floor of the new Miller Children's Hospital Long Beach inpatient pavilion, they enter a whimsical under-the-sea themed environment. Designed to ease children’s fear of surgery, the surgical center features colorful and comfortable waiting areas, family lounges and playrooms.

• When a child is waiting for surgery, they will go into a “pre-op” (pre-operation) area. There also is a pre-op playroom where young patients can relax with books, play games, do arts and craft activities and watch TV while they wait to go into surgery.
• It is important to note that a child, who is going into surgery, never sees a child coming out of surgery, who is still asleep. There are two separate hallways to lead patients to and from the surgical suites, helping to decrease anxiety and fears of the patients who are going into surgery.
• The induction (pre-op) room is where the patient will go to get their anesthesia, before going into one of the surgical suites. Most of the time, one parent may come with their child during the induction of anesthesia to help lessen anxieties and fear, unless it is a special circumstance. It is important for parents to ask their child’s surgeon about this.
• There are seven private state-of-the-art pediatric surgical suites, where patient records, laboratory results and imaging studies are available to the surgical team at the touch of a button, while TV monitors are mounted strategically so patients can fall asleep watching their favorite movie.
• A colorful, comfortable family lounge and waiting area is available for parents and their siblings to wait for patients to come out of surgery.
• A family friendly post-anesthesia recovery unit (PACU) is where the child will go after surgery, to recover from the anesthesia.
• After surgery, patients awaken in the Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU), where they are closely monitored by the PACU staff. This often referred to by our little patients as the “wake-up” room. Family members are invited to stay with their child as they recover from surgery. Private recovery rooms with TVs are available for patients and their families, if additional recovery time is required.