Paediatric cardiac surgery treats heart problems in babies, children and teenagers. Some children are born with a heart defect, while others develop heart problems later. Depending on the condition, surgery may repair the heart or improve how it works. Our team first checks the child's heart and overall health before planning treatment.
Paediatric cardiac surgery is surgery performed to treat heart problems in children. It can correct a problem present from birth or treat a heart condition that develops later.
Some children have a hole in the heart. Others may have problems with the heart valves, blood vessels or the way blood flows through the heart. The type of surgery depends on the child's age, heart condition and overall health.
Not every child with a heart defect needs surgery. Some defects are small and may close on their own. Others may only need regular check-ups. Surgery is considered when the heart problem affects blood flow, growth, breathing or the child's overall health.
A pediatric cardiologist and pediatric cardiac surgeon work together to understand the condition and decide the next step.
Children can have many types of heart problems. Some are present at birth and are known as congenital heart defects. Conditions that may require pediatric congenital heart surgery include:
Some children may also need surgery for heart infections, valve problems or other conditions that develop later.
The types of pediatric heart surgery depend on the heart defect and how it affects the child. Some procedures repair the heart, while others improve blood flow. Common pediatric heart surgery procedures include:
In some cases, surgeons need to open the chest to reach the heart. A heart-lung machine may be used during the operation. It temporarily takes over the work of the heart and lungs while the surgeon repairs the heart.
This type of child open heart surgery may be needed for complex heart defects.
The surgeon may close a hole in the heart, repair a valve or correct an abnormal blood vessel. The aim is to restore better blood flow through the heart.
Some complex defects need more than one repair. The surgical plan depends on the child's heart structure and the way blood moves through it.
Not every heart problem requires open surgery. Some conditions can be treated through a catheter-based procedure. A thin tube is guided through a blood vessel to the heart. The doctor may use it to close a small hole or treat another suitable heart problem.
Your child's heart team will explain which procedure is appropriate.
The timing of surgery is different for every child. Some babies need treatment soon after birth. Others can be monitored for months or years before surgery.
Doctors consider:
Tests such as echocardiography, ECG, chest imaging and cardiac catheterisation may be used to understand the heart problem.
The doctor may recommend regular monitoring when the condition is mild. If the defect starts affecting the child's health or heart function, surgery may be planned.
Parents may feel worried when their child needs heart surgery. Knowing what happens at each stage can make the process easier to understand.
The child's medical team performs a detailed assessment. This may include blood tests, an echocardiogram, an ECG, and other heart tests.
The surgeon and cardiologist explain the heart problem and discuss the planned treatment with the parents. The anesthesia team also checks the child before surgery.
The child receives anesthesia and remains asleep during the operation. The surgical approach depends on the heart condition.
For complex repairs, the surgeon may use open-heart surgery and a heart-lung machine. The surgeon then repairs the heart defect and checks blood flow before completing the operation.
The duration of surgery varies. It depends on the type and complexity of the procedure.
After surgery, the child is closely monitored in a cardiac intensive care unit. Doctors and nurses check breathing, heart rate, blood pressure and other vital signs.
Pain medicines are given when needed. The child is gradually encouraged to eat, move and return to normal activities as recovery progresses.
Before discharge, the team explains medicines, wound care, activity restrictions and follow-up visits to the parents.
At the CK Birla Hospitals, Kolkata, our cardiac team provides care for children with congenital and other heart conditions. We bring together cardiologists, cardiac surgeons, anaesthetists, intensivists, nurses and other specialists when a child needs surgical treatment.
We first assess the child's heart condition and overall health. The team then discusses the treatment options with the parents and plans care according to the child's needs.
Our approach includes diagnosis, surgical treatment, intensive monitoring and follow-up care. Parents are also kept informed about the child's treatment and recovery at every stage.
For children who need pediatric heart surgery, the focus is on safe treatment, careful monitoring and support throughout the child's hospital stay and recovery.
A baby can have heart surgery soon after birth if the heart defect is serious and needs early treatment. Some defects need surgery within days or weeks, while others can be treated later. The timing depends on the baby's heart condition and overall health.
Some small holes in the heart can close on their own as a child grows. Others may remain open and need treatment. The doctor may monitor the hole through regular echocardiograms before deciding whether surgery or another procedure is needed.
No. Some congenital heart defects are mild and may not need surgery. A child may only need regular check-ups and monitoring. Surgery is considered when the defect causes significant symptoms or affects heart function and blood flow.
Warning signs can include fast or difficult breathing, poor feeding, tiring easily, poor weight gain, bluish lips or skin, excessive sweating while feeding and fainting. Older children may also have chest discomfort, tiredness or shortness of breath during activity. These signs can have many causes, so a doctor should assess the child.
The duration depends on the type of surgery and the complexity of the heart problem. Some procedures may take a few hours, while complex operations can take longer. The surgical team can give parents a more specific estimate after evaluating the child.
The hospital stay varies with the type of surgery and the child's recovery. A child may spend some time in the cardiac ICU before moving to a regular room. Complex heart surgery may require a longer stay. The medical team decides on discharge based on the child's condition.
Many children can return to school, play, and do other daily activities after successful treatment. The level of activity depends on the heart condition and type of surgery. Regular follow-up helps doctors monitor heart function as the child grows.
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