Transition from pediatric to adult health services: the perioperative care perspective

Increasing numbers of children with congenital and chronic diseases are surviving beyond adolescence. Consequently, arrangements must be put in place to ensure that these groups of patients continue to receive high-quality care into adulthood. Although some medical disciplines have reacted positively to this growing challenge, perioperative care has lagged behind. This review explores some of the difficulties in delivering optimal perioperative care in the transitional period. Key issues, including the paucity of experience in the management of pediatric diseases among adult-trained clinicians and unfamiliarity with child/family focused care, are discussed. We provide some suggestions for the development of transitional healthcare policies.