Instructions for taking care of children after congenital heart surgery

Congenital heart is not an uncommon birth defect. After surgery is a time when the patient has to face many physiological disorders. The care of children after congenital heart surgery is one of the important keys contributing to the success of the surgery.

After congenital heart surgery in children will be monitored in the recovery room. This is the time when the patient is out of anesthesia and the vital functions are gradually recovering.
At this stage, family members need to pay attention to the following issues:
Monitor vital signs. It is important to pay attention to the color of the skin and lips, if pale or purple, it is a sign of hypoxia. Assess the child's breathing ability, if there is a contraction of the muscles in the neck and chest or there is a whining, wheezing sound, it is a sign of shortness of breath. When detecting any abnormal signs, immediately notify the medical staff. Actively restore the patient's consciousness, sensations and movements. After weaning off the ventilator, the family should actively call and gently stimulate the child to quickly restore consciousness. Keep the patient warm by applying warmth. A bottle of warm water with a tight cap next to the patient also helps to keep the child warm. Gently change the patient's position while regaining consciousness to increase blood circulation. Massaging hands and feet helps children reduce fatigue. Pay attention to the patient's pain symptoms or ask directly if the child can speak to assess the effectiveness of pain relievers.

At this stage, the patient's vital functions have recovered. The child will be transferred to the postoperative room in the clinical department.
Parents taking care of children after heart surgery at this stage should pay attention to the following issues:
Continue to monitor the child's consciousness, spirit, and movement. Have the child lie down with the head up 30 degrees. Parents need to always be there to encourage and comfort the child, monitor the level of pain after surgery to notify the medical staff for appropriate pain relief treatment. 2 days after surgery, the child may have a mild fever and then gradually decrease. In addition to fever-reducing medication, caregivers should actively take measures to lower the child's body temperature, such as loosening clothes, removing blankets, applying warm or cool water in the armpits, groin, forehead, and palms. foot. If the child has a high fever continuously or for more than 3 days, it is necessary to notify the medical staff. Encourage children to exercise early to avoid stagnation of viscous sputum, prevent lung collapse, and enhance blood circulation. For small children who cannot walk, family members need to help the child change position passively according to the guidance of medical staff. Eat and drink as directed by your doctor. When your doctor allows you to eat by mouth, you need to eat foods from liquid to solid, from little to more. Pay attention to hygiene for children. Children must be wiped with warm water (avoid incisions) and daily oral hygiene.

When going home, in addition to taking medicine as prescribed by the doctor, when taking care of children after congenital heart surgery, parents need to pay attention to the following issues: a major surgery for the child, so do not abstain from any food, eat a variety of different foods. Divide into several meals, eat food from liquid to solid, from little to a lot. For children under 1 year old, breast milk is the main source of nutrition and adds protein, fat, vitamins, and starch. Mothers must pay attention to nutritional supplements for themselves to ensure milk supply. If the mother loses milk, she can give the baby formula milk. Exercise mode Children should not exercise vigorously in the first few months after surgery. Children who have undergone heart repair surgery like normal people can move according to the child's physical ability. Avoid strenuous activities such as basketball, soccer, martial arts competitions, and thrilling games. If the child is of school age, parents need to talk to the school to exempt them from heavy physical activities. Vaccinations To avoid masking the symptoms after surgery, parents only give their children vaccinations from 6 to 8 weeks after surgery. Parents need to pay attention to monitor the symptoms after the injection. Signs needing immediate re-examination In addition to regular check-ups according to the appointment, when having the following symptoms, the family should take the child to the hospital as soon as possible:
Poor feeding, poor eating or drinking, skipping meals, vomiting ooh. High fever. Diarrhea . Constant crying, struggling, lethargic, lethargic. Rapid breathing, difficulty breathing, chest constriction, cyanosis, sweating, cold extremities. Helping children integrate into life When children grow up, parents need to tell their children about their medical condition and guide them on how to take care of their own health, build a healthy lifestyle, don't smoke and do appropriate physical activities. fit. Regularly being by your side, sharing and encouraging children to avoid feelings of guilt, inferiority, and loneliness. Children should not be banned from playing with friends or participating in physical activities. Children must participate in recreational activities, outdoor activities with friends to develop balance both physically and mentally. The Pediatrics Department at Vinmec is one of the few multi-specialty hospitals with a full range of doctors specializing in neurology, cardiology, gastroenterology, nutrition, psychology, endocrinology, hepatobiliary disease, helping to quickly and promptly handle the disease. detect diseases during the examination. As a key area of ​​Vinmec Medical system, Pediatrics Department always brings satisfaction to customers and is highly appreciated by industry experts with:
Gathering a team of leading pediatricians: including leading experts, with high professional qualifications (professors, associate professors, doctorates, masters), experienced, worked at major hospitals such as Bach Mai, 108.. Doctors All of them are well-trained, professional, have a mind - range, and are knowledgeable about young psychology. In addition to domestic pediatric specialists, the Department of Pediatrics also has the participation of foreign experts (Japan, Singapore, Australia, USA) who are always pioneers in applying the latest and most effective treatment regimens. . Comprehensive services: In the field of Pediatrics, Vinmec provides a series of continuous medical examination and treatment services from Newborn to Pediatric and Vaccine, ... according to international standards to help parents take care of their baby's health from birth to childhood. from birth to adulthood Specialized techniques: Vinmec has successfully deployed many specialized techniques to make the treatment of difficult diseases in pediatrics more effective: neurosurgery - skull surgery, stem cell transplantation. blood in cancer treatment. Professional care: In addition to understanding children's psychology, Vinmec also pays special attention to the children's play space, helping them to have fun and get used to the hospital's environment, cooperate in treatment, improve the efficiency of medical treatment.