Preparing for Surgery
Surgery Date, Time and DirectionsPresurgery visit
Blood Bank
Presurgery Classes
Preparing Your Child for Surgery
Frequently Asked Questions
Surgery Date, Time and Directions
Surgery dates are usually based on the urgency of the surgery and where there is space in the schedule. The cardiologists inform the surgeons of the need for surgery and the urgency. You will receive a call from the Cardiothoracic Surgery Office Staff. If there is no urgency then there is flexibility around your schedule. If it is relatively urgent then the first suitable surgical slot will be used. The time of surgery on any particular day is only tentative. Emergency cases or other factors may alter this time at any stage.
Directions to Primary Children’s Medical Center
Presurgery Visit
Your child will need to come to the hospital the day before surgery for
a medical history report, a physical, lab work, and a chest x-ray. Please
check in at Outpatient Registration no later than 1:00 p.m. They will direct
you to the Same Day Surgery Department. If your child is scheduled for
surgery on a Monday, you can come on either Saturday or Sunday. The Outpatient/Same
Day Surgery registration is closed on the weekend. Please go to Emergency
Room Registration no later than 9:00 a.m. Saturday or Sunday morning.
Blood Bank and Blood for Surgery
Blood is required for the majority of cardiac surgeries. In some closed-heart
procedures – those done without the use of the heart-lung machine
- blood is available in case of need but it is often not used;
in open-heart procedures where the heart is stopped and the heart-lung
machine is used to provide blood flow and oxygen to the body, the heart-lung
machine is primed with blood and three or more pints of blood may be
necessary for this, with additional blood needed after surgery. All blood is screened
for AIDS, hepatitis, and other infectious diseases.
Presurgery Classes
The hospital has a presurgery
preparation class designed for children and teenagers. The class
introduces patients to the hospital in a reassuring way. It is held Monday
through Thursday and lasts about 1 hour. If you and your child or teenager
would like to attend, please make reservations by calling (801) 662-2824.
Preparing Your Child for Surgery
Surgery is often the only treatment available for a child with serious congenital heart disease and some acquired disease as well. There are many ways to prepare your child for surgery. The first step is to be honest and use simple language to explain things to your child. Talk about what your child will see, hear, taste, feel, and smell. Don't dwell on things that your child will not directly experience. For example, it is not necessary to tell your child what happens while he or she is asleep during surgery. You can explain that the care team will fix your child's heart but do not need to discuss the details. If you have any questions about how to communicate with your child, you may call the Child Life Department at (801) 662-3701 or the Social Worker Department at (801) 662-3700.
Children and teens may act differently before, during, and after a hospital
stay. Many younger children regress and start acting younger than their age
by sucking their thumb, wetting the bed, wanting to be with you constantly,
or doing other things they have previously "outgrown". These are
common reactions and usually go away with time. Teenagers may have much more
anxiety or depression before and after surgery than they will openly express.
Let your child or teen know that you understand they are going through a stressful
time and listen to their concerns and address them wherever possible. Playing
doctor, reading books about hospitals, and talking about what they are feeling
can help children. Letting teens feel like they have some control over their
experience by making some decisions about their care can help.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where will my child's incision be?Will there be a scar?
Do I need to bring my child's formula?
Will I be able to breastfeed my child?
How will you know if my child is in pain?
Will my child need to take medicine when we go home?
When will I see the doctor and who will answer my questions if the doctor is not available?
Where will my child's incision be?
This will depend on your child's procedure. It will be one of the following:
a.Thoracotomy (thor-uh-CAW-tuh-me) This incision is normally used for
closed heart procedures. It begins on the side of the chest at the nipple
level and extends around the side towards the back to the middle of the
shoulder blade. It is done on one side only.
b. Sternotomy (stern-AW-tuh-me) This incision is normally used
for open-heart procedures. It is vertical and in the middle of the chest and
breast bone.
Will there be a scar?
Yes, there will be a scar where the incision is made. There may also be smaller scars where the chest tubes (for drainage and healing) are inserted. These scars should improve over time to become fine lines, depending on how your child heals. Please do not use any creams, lotions, or ointments on the wounds until they have completely healed. This may take about 6 weeks.
Do I need to bring my child's formula?
No. The hospital provides the same formula for your child that he or she eats at home. If your child has a favorite cup or a special nipple, it may be helpful to bring this with you.
Will I be able to breastfeed my child?
You may not be able to breastfeed your child for several days after surgery. It is important that we be able to measure everything that goes in and everything that comes out. We ask that you pump your milk, and it can be given to your child in a bottle or kept refrigerated until your child is able to eat.
How will you know if my child is in pain?
Your child's nurse will monitor his or her vital signs. These include temperature, heart rate, breathing rate and blood pressure. These vital signs and your child's physical state are indicators of pain. It is uncomfortable for your child in the days following surgery, but being uncomfortable and being in pain are different things. Please let the nurse know if you feel that your child needs pain medicine. Pain medicine is not given automatically but when needed.
Will my child need to take medicine when we go home?
Children are often sent home with medicines. The cardiothoracic surgery nurse practitioner will talk with you about medicines before your child goes home. Your child's nurse and pharmacist will also help you know how to give the medicines and what side effects to watch for. Your child's cardiologist will watch your child in the weeks and months after surgery and tell you when or if your child can stop taking the medicine.
When will I see the doctor and who will answer my questions if the doctor is not available?
Your child's surgeon, cardiothoracic surgery fellow, cardiologist, intensivist
and nurse practitioner see your child early each morning. You may not be at your
child's bedside when they come by. If you have questions that you feel cannot
be answered by your child's nurse, please ask the nurse to page the cardiothoracic
surgery nurse practitioner. She can either answer your questions or arrange to
have the doctor come by to see you.
