We read with interest the results of the 7th National Audit Project (NAP7), dealing with peri-operative cardiac arrest in children [1, 2] and wish to discuss our experience of parental presence during resuscitation in the operating theatre.

An adolescent patient with suspected gastrointestinal bleeding needed urgent tracheal intubation for endoscopy and surgery. He arrived at the operating theatre unconscious and in profound shock. After successful tracheal intubation using videolaryngoscopy with local anaesthesia only, light sedation facilitated gastroscopy, and we prepared for surgery. An anaesthetist informed the parents of the need for resuscitation and the possibility of death and invited the parents to the operating theatre. The father chose to stay with his son during the surgery, holding his hand. A paediatric intensive care physician stood by his side. The child was resuscitated during surgery. He recovered neurologically, but experienced renal failure and required a prolonged intensive care stay. After reviewing the NAP7 studies, the anaesthetist involved contacted the parents to look back on the choices made.

The patient's mother expressed her gratitude for our decision to reflect on the event. During the surgery, she chose to remain outside the operating theatre to support other family members. However, she later questioned whether it would have been permissible for her to join her husband and son. Ultimately, she affirmed her decision made at that time and appreciated the option provided, as well as the transparent communication from our colleagues. She was concerned that her presence might impede our ability to care for her child, a consideration that had not occurred to us.

The father appreciated the chance to choose, stating he was not afraid at the time or traumatised later. He was glad to feel that he hadn't left the child behind and was “part of the team”. He also felt it helped him move on and process the event. Although he saw everyone working hard, he did not focus on the surgery or resuscitation details. Their religious beliefs were also very important in reflecting and accepting what had happened.

In urgent resuscitation during anaesthesia, consider inviting a parent to the operating theatre after a briefing and assigning a team member to support them. Assure parents their presence won't interfere with medical care. Good communication is essential even if having a parent in theatre isn't always possible.

Future research should provide guidance on the care of paediatric patients before, during and after resuscitation in surgery. This includes clear and timely communication of expectations and considering parental presence as part of the process.

我们饶有兴趣地阅读了第 7 次国家审计项目 （NAP7） 的结果，该项目涉及儿童围手术期心脏骤停 [1， 2]，并希望讨论我们在手术室复苏期间父母在场的经验。

一名疑似消化道出血的青少年患者需要紧急气管插管进行内窥镜检查和手术。他到达手术室时昏迷不醒，处于极度震惊中。在仅使用局部麻醉使用视频喉镜成功气管插管后，轻度镇静有助于胃镜检查，我们准备手术。麻醉师告诉父母需要复苏和死亡的可能性，并邀请父母到手术室。父亲选择在手术期间陪在儿子身边，握着他的手。一位儿科重症监护医生站在他身边。孩子在手术过程中被抢救过来。他的神经系统康复了，但出现了肾功能衰竭，需要长时间的重症监护。在审查了 NAP7 研究后，参与其中的麻醉师联系了父母，回顾了所做的选择。

患者的母亲对我们决定反思这一事件表示感谢。在手术期间，她选择留在手术室外以支持其他家庭成员。然而，她后来质疑是否允许她与丈夫和儿子团聚。最终，她肯定了她当时所做的决定，并感谢所提供的选择，以及我们同事的透明沟通。她担心她的存在可能会妨碍我们照顾她的孩子，但我们没有想到这一点。

这位父亲很感激这个选择的机会，他说他当时并不害怕，后来也没有受到创伤。他很高兴自己没有丢下孩子，是“团队的一员”。他还觉得这有助于他继续前进并处理事件。虽然他看到大家都在努力工作，但他并没有把注意力放在手术或复苏的细节上。他们的宗教信仰在反映和接受所发生的事情方面也非常重要。

在麻醉期间进行紧急复苏时，考虑在简报后邀请父母到手术室，并指派一名团队成员支持他们。向父母保证他们的存在不会干扰医疗护理。良好的沟通是必不可少的，即使父母在剧院并不总是可能的。

未来的研究应为儿科患者在手术复苏之前、期间和之后的护理提供指导。这包括清晰及时地传达期望，并将父母的陪伴作为过程的一部分。