Pediatric Cardiac Surgery

What is Pediatric Cardiac Surgery?

Pediatric cardiac surgery is a specialized branch of surgery that focuses on the treatment of congenital heart defects and other heart conditions in infants, children, and adolescents.

benefits of pediatric cardiac surgery;

• Life-Saving Treatment: Pediatric cardiac surgery is often crucial for infants and children born with congenital heart defects, providing life-saving interventions that can significantly improve their chances of survival.

• Prevention of Complications: Surgery can prevent or reduce the risk of complications associated with congenital heart defects, such as heart failure, respiratory problems, and developmental delays.

• Enhanced Heart Function: Pediatric cardiac surgery aims to restore normal heart function, allowing the heart to pump blood effectively and efficiently. This can improve oxygen delivery to the body's tissues and organs.

• Correction of Structural Anomalies: Surgery can correct structural abnormalities in the heart's chambers, valves, and blood vessels, promoting proper blood flow and preventing issues like valve leakage or narrowing.

• Long-Term Outcomes: Many children who undergo successful pediatric cardiac surgery experience long-term benefits, with improved heart function and fewer limitations on their physical activities.

What are the top 5 HEART Treatment hospitals in India?

• Manipal Hospitals

• Max Hospital

• Apollo Hospital

• Artemis Hospital

• Fortis Escorts Heart Institute

Pre-procedure

• Evaluation: Before the surgery, the child undergoes a thorough evaluation, including medical history, physical examination, and diagnostic tests like echocardiography and cardiac catheterization to assess the heart condition.

• Fasting: The child is usually asked to fast for a few hours before the surgery to ensure an empty stomach.

• Informed Consent: The parents or legal guardians of the child are informed about the procedure, its risks, benefits, and alternatives, and they give their informed consent.

Procedure

• Anesthesia: The child is given general anesthesia to ensure they are asleep and pain-free during the surgery.

• Incision: The surgeon makes a small incision or several incisions in the chest to access the heart.

• Corrective Surgery: The surgeon repairs or reconstructs the heart's structures, such as closing holes, repairing valves, or widening narrowed blood vessels.

• Monitoring: The child's vital signs, including heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen levels, are closely monitored throughout the surgery.

Post-procedure:

• Recovery: After the surgery, the child is taken to the intensive care unit (ICU) for close monitoring and recovery. The child may be connected to a ventilator for a short time to help with breathing.

• Medications: The child may be prescribed medications to manage pain, prevent infections, and support heart function during the recovery period.

• Hospital Stay: The length of hospital stay varies depending on the complexity of the surgery and the child's recovery progress.