A pre-operative evaluation may be required prior to placing a child under general anesthesia. At this type of visit, a focused history and physical examination is performed to screen for any factors that may place your child at risk during surgery. At this encounter, not only is special attention given to certain components of your child’s medical history and general exam but also to any identifiable red flags in the family history. Risk factors will prompt the specialist to implement additional precautions in preparation for surgery.