Preoperative Anxiety Experienced by the Pediatric Patient

Operation Calm is a single-arm, mixed-methods feasibility study evaluating a virtual reality (VR) nature-based mindfulness intervention with children and adolescents aged 6-17 years, parents, and clinicians. Children complete one guided mindfulness session combining an immersive 360° nature environment with breathing, sensory awareness, and grounding exercises. Parents and clinicians view the intervention through a secure online link. The study examines feasibility, acceptability, engagement, usability, perceived usefulness, and child tolerability. It also explores immediate changes in children's anxiety, calmness, state mindfulness, and nature connectedness. Feedback from children, parents, and clinicians will guide further refinement of Operation Calm before it is evaluated in a larger clinical study.

This study aims to compare intranasal dexmedetomidine versus intranasal ketamine as a premedication in children undergoing surgery in our population. Hypothesis is Intranal dexmedetomidine is better than intranasal ketamine in producing preoperative sedation in pediatric patients undergoing surgery under general anesthesia.