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Pediatric Cardiac Surgery

At Banner Children’s, our kid-connected staff is devoted to caring for your child's heart and focused on providing support and compassionate care to you and your child. If your child has a heart condition that requires congenital cardiac surgery, you can be confident that our team will provide tailored surgical options specific to your child's needs. We also understand that caring for a child involves the whole family. We are here to support you, your child and family members and answer any questions you may have.

What Is Congenital Cardiothoracic Surgery?

Congenital cardiothoracic surgery, also called pediatric cardiac surgery, is surgery to repair heart disorders in children and adults of all ages born with heart defects. This type of surgery is beneficial in:

  • Closing holes between the chambers of the heart
  • Repairing or replacing heart valve problems
  • Fixing abnormal blood vessels
  • Redirecting blood flows for the most complex heart conditions
  • Repairing an injury to the heart

We understand how hard it is to put your child’s care in another’s hands. Our team of experts works to find surgical solutions that are human-centered and will use minimally invasive procedures whenever possible. For newborns, there are an increasing number of procedures that can be performed within several days after a child is born to ensure the baby and mom can form a bond as soon as possible.

Types of Congenital Cardiac Surgery

After your child has received a diagnosis, our team will walk you through the treatment options available and work with you to develop a treatment plan. Parenting is the best and hardest job in the world. We’re here to support you and give you the confidence you need to know you’re doing the best for your child.

We work tirelessly to ensure our experts are trained in the latest techniques and technologies to provide care for kids of all ages, including newborns and infants. From minimally invasive operations to complex heart reconstruction techniques, we provide options for the full spectrum of pediatric congenital heart defects.

Open Heart Surgery

Should the need arise, our team is ready to support you and your child through the process of open heart surgery. We provide a personalized approach to your child’s unique cardiac needs and will make sure you know how to prepare and what to expect. Consider talking to your pediatric cardiothoracic surgeon about having your child tour the hospital and meet our staff before their surgery so it feels familiar and comfortable. We strive to make this experience personal, secure and safe and can even include comforting items like your child's favorite toy as part of the process.

Your child’s time in surgery will vary depending on their condition, but be assured you will be informed of every step. Our team will support you and your child throughout the operation and work with you to create a comprehensive recovery plan. We understand it's an emotional time for you and your child. Our compassionate team is prepared to spend time with you, your child and your family to make sure everyone is comfortable and cared for.

Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is a life-saving treatment that provides heart circulation and respiratory support to a child who may be experiencing cardiac or respiratory failure. This treatment circulates the blood outside the body to take the strain off the heart and lungs, adding oxygen to the blood to increase resting and healing. Our pediatric cardiothoracic surgeons are nationally-recognized experts in open heart surgery and circulatory support techniques, including extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO).

No matter what type of surgery your child needs, our team is focused on providing the best care for your child. Together with pediatric cardiac anesthesiologists, cardiac critical care physicians and cardiac critical care nurses, we draw on the best and most well-established medical knowledge to deliver what’s right for your child.