Surgical repair of hole in heart - experiences?

[Casserole]

Hi all - it looks like DS is going to be operated on to repair the hole in his heart as there's evidence to suggest that, left untreated, it will cause some perm damage.

Anyone else been through this procedure and can give us some idea of what to expect? He's 1.

Thanks

Hello Casserole.

My dd has significant heart problems and has had an open heart partial repair and other procedures via catheter. Are they going to try to repair the hole by catheter or will it be an open procedure? dd's surgery was done as an emergency so her recovery wasn't text book but most children recover very quickly from elective surgery. If it's open surgery they usually go to intensive care for a while maybe 24 - 48 hours, then to the ward and home after a week or ten days.

Putting your child through surgery is obviously pretty scary but they wouldn't want to go for it if it wasn't necessary. Which hospital is looking after you?

Hi - thanks so much for your reply.

So far they are saying open heart surgery (there doesn't seem to be a terror smiley to insert here).... final decision on Thursday and it's the Brompton, in London.

How long ago was your LO's op? How are they doing now? What a horrible thing to have in common

dd is 15 now. Her original surgery was at 14 weeks - lots of bits inbetween and her latest procedure was 3 weeks ago today The Brompton has a fab reputation - dd's original surgeon moved there from Birmingham; I think he's still there.

IME the worst thing is leaving them when they have the general anaesthetic and the first sight of them again in ITU. You are usually allowed to stay with them until they are asleep before surgery though and a nurse will stay with you and bring you back to the ward or the parents waiting room. You can usually ask to see ITU beforehand if you think it will be helpful to you. Not everyone likes to do that.