Promoting coping in children facing pediatric surgery.

Surgery is challenging for children and their families, calling upon them to cope with an invasive procedure, deal with the uncertainty of the surgical outcome, and manage the stress of hospitalization. Contributors to children's distress when facing pediatric surgery include their coping style, interactions with their parents, developmental level, and temperament. A pragmatic approach is outlined that can help surgeons promote successful coping in their patients while at the same time fostering successful working relationships with parents.