Posted on 14th October, 2023 at 5:45:07 AM
If an operation is thought to be necessary, one of the Cardiac Surgeons will discuss the proposed surgery with the child's parents. Sometimes, an operation will be needed urgently in the first few weeks after birth. When there is no major urgency, the operation will usually be performed at the earliest stage with the lowest possible risk, and well before there is likely to be any irreversible damage to the heart, lungs or other organs as a result of the heart problem. This is likely to be within the first one to two years of life in most cases, unless the problem is detected later or does not merit an operation until an older age. Until this time is reached, periodic reviews will be carried out so that any change may be detected and plans altered if necessary.
Children undergoing heart operations usually stay in hospital for about one week, though young infants and some older children may need to stay longer. School age children may then require a few weeks further convalescence at home.
A number of the conditions which require an operation can be dealt with by fairly simple methods. Others can only be dealt with using the heart-lung bypass machine (so called 'open heart' operations). This machine will take over the work of the patient's heart and lungs while the surgeon operates inside the heart itself. Operations with the heart-lung machine involve different (though not necessarily higher) risks than those for which the machine is not needed. Particular problems relating to individual cases will be discussed with parents when surgery is being considered for their child.
