My eldest DS had a general at 5 months old for a CT - scary, but we needed it done and he had to lie still... As HK says, always a risk, but when necessary - what choice do you have! At least it will be a light one and he'll carely rememeber. He'll just want his mummy afterwards!
there is always a risk with any operation, so take the time to discuss them in detail with your doctor, the specialist and the anaesthetist.
I can understand the specialist's point of view though, because it is a delicate operation and the patient needs to remain still (of course), which a toddler would find difficult, even for 10 minutes.
My son needs a small operation for hydrocele (fluid in testes - 10 minute op) and I have been advised by the specialist that the only way this is performed on children is with a general anaesthetic...is this safe?