Pectus Excavatum - Preparing for Nuss Surgery
How do I prepare for a Nuss surgery and what should I expect the day of the surgery? In this
video, you will find the answer to these two questions.
You or your child may have pectus excavatum. Our team at Nicklaus Children's Hospital is here to answer your questions and guide you through the treatment process. In this video series
called “When You Have Pectus Excavatum,” we will answer most common questions and
provide you with information on how to prepare for a Nuss procedure.
How do I prepare for a Nuss surgery?
The Nuss procedure is a medical procedure used to treat pectus excavatum, also known as
funnel chest or sunken chest. Our pectus excavatum team includes specialists in cardiology,
pulmonary medicine, thoracic surgery, rehabilitation medicine, and nurses who work together
to provide your child with the best care. Additionally, Certified Child Life Specialists provide
procedural support to help the patient and family prepare for the treatment. This includes pre-
op education, non-pharmacological pain management support, sibling support, normalization
of the hospital environment and therapeutic interventions.
Two months prior to surgery, your child will start an exercise routine. Daily stretches, stomach
crunches, and leg stretches are all examples of these exercises. Please watch our video
“Exercising before and after my Nuss Surgery” to obtain detailed information on these
exercises.
Prior to the surgery, your child will need a preoperative medical clearance from their
pediatrician or primary care provider.Constipation is a common problem with this surgery. To avoid constipation, you or your child will need to take a daily dose of a stool softener beginning 3 days prior to surgery . This medication is taken by mouth daily, any time of the day, with or without food.
The night before the surgery, your child must NOT eat or drink after midnight. It is extremely
important to keep your child’s stomach empty to prevent complications during the procedure.
In addition to essentials items, patients may bring some sources of entertainment, as well as
special items that make them feel comfortable, such as pillow, favorite blanket or comforter,
laptop, tablets, cell phones and battery charger.
When you arrive to our hospital, we recommend you park in the green parking garage. Once
you enter the hospital, you will go to Patient Access, located on the first floor. This is where
you will check into the hospital. For more information on this, watch our video: “Rapid
Registration - Green Parking Lot Directions” or visit our website.
After completing the registration process, an escort will take you to the pre-operative suite.
Here, you will meet with a nurse practitioner, the anesthesiologist, and the surgeons. They will
discuss your child’s anesthetic plan and answer any questions you or your child may have.
Your child will be asked to change into a gown and an IV will be placed. Before leaving for the
operating room, your child will be given medicine to help promote relaxation.
We hope this information is useful to you. The next video of this series will provide you with
information on the exercises to be done before and after the Nuss surgery. Here at Nicklaus
Children's Hospital, we want to create a healthy future for our children.
22 авг 2024
