Ben Carson. CNN/screenshot Retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson cited his experience removing tumors from pediatric patients to explain why he would be willing to incur civilian causalities in the fight against ISIS.

"We're going to have to open your head up and take out this tumor," Carson said at Tuesday night's Republican debate.

Carson was responding to a question from CNN moderator Hugh Hewitt as to whether he would be ready to "order airstrikes that would kill innocent civilians" as president, recalling his presurgery meetings with younger patients.

"They're not happy about it, believe me. And they don't like me very much at that point," Carson said of meeting with his young patients. "But later on, they love me."

Hewitt then asked whether Carson would be "OK with the deaths of thousands of innocent children and civilians?"

At this point, the audience started booing.

Carson said, apparently referencing the audience: "You got it. You got it."

This post has been updated to reflect that Carson was addressing the audience.