Frequently Asked Questions
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- What is the first step in the process to have my child evaluated for the Nuss Procedure?
Answer:
You should start with your child's pediatrician or primary care physician. Provide a copy of the
requested preliminary tests needed. He can facilitate all of the tests at a hospital that can accommodate your needs. This will also assure that your insurance will cover the testing and your doctor will understand what you're are interested in doing.
- How long does it take to complete testing?
Answer:
The hardest appointment to get is usually the cardiology evaluation. It takes most families one to two months to get all of their preliminary testing completed.
- What is the best way to send the test results to you?
Answer:
It is best to mail all of the test results to us yourself. You can send them either ground or air, but make sure the package is certified so that it can be tracked if lost. Information will take longer and arrive to us in "piece meal" fashion if sent to us by individual doctors and facilities. Please address all forms and testing to:
Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters
Pediatric Surgery-Pectus Program, 5th Floor
601 Children's Lane
Norfolk, VA 23507
- Will you evaluate my child without all of the studies?
Answer:
Yes. We are happy to see any child without first having studies. Keep in mind that having the studies to review ahead of time could save your family time and an extra trip. ALL of the studies are required to determine the severity of you child's pectus deformity and whether they are a candidate for surgery.
- Will the radiology department release my child's films?
Answer:
Yes, and it is recommended that you request a copy. If your child has surgery here, we will want to keep the CT scan in your child's radiology file for future reference.
- Does my child need to see a cardiologist for the heart test, or can my child's pediatrician do the testing?
Answer:
Your child will need to see a cardiologist. A pediatrician usually does not have the equipment to do an echocardiogram. The studies will also need to be interpreted by a cardiologist. Please note we do not need the echocardiogram video, only the written interpretation.
- After I forward all of my child's testing, how long will it take to get the results back?
Answer:
You will usually here from the pectus coordinator a week after all of your studies and questionnaires arrived. The doctor will not review your child's information until all of the information has arrived (i.e. Pectus Questionnaire, Health History, Pulmonary Function Study, Cardiology evaluation interpretation that includes an echocardiogram and EKG, CT scan films and report).
- Can I bring my child to your hospital for an evaluation without having any testing done?
Answer:
Yes, your child can come for a pectus evaluation without first having the tests. People that reside outside of the local area generally complete all required tests before their first visit to allow for a complete evaluation. This eliminates the need for a repeat visit before surgery. If your child is younger than 6 years, we would prefer that you NOT have any testing done prior to your first appointment. We generally do not operate on children under 6 years of age, therefore it is not necessary to have the testing done until it is time to have surgery.
- Do you ever perform pectus corrective surgery on children younger than 6 years old?
Answer:
Yes, only if it is determined that the pectus deformity is severe and that the child is developmentally mature enough to follow the post-op restrictions on physical activity. Most younger children feel good within one week of coming home, but are unable to engage in rough physical activity for six weeks. This is difficult to accomplish in an active, younger child that does not understand the consequences.
- Is my 19 year old too old to have pectus corrective surgery?
Answer:
No, your child is not too old to have pectus corrective surgery. Although we are a pediatric facility, we will correct a person's chest at our facility up to the age of 29 years. For adults past the age 25 years, prior approval from administration is required before scheduling surgery.
- Is pectus correction ever an emergency?
Answer:
No. If you child's symptoms are worsening, then you should begin the steps to have him evaluated and begin planning for surgery immediately, but correcting the chest is NEVER an emergency. This is a procedure that can be planned. Take your time. Find a good doctor, and prepare yourself and child for the procedure. We never feel the need to rush anyone into this surgery.
- Will my child be able to participate in sports after the Nuss Procedure?
Answer:
We like for our pectus patients to be active and athletic before and after surgery. After 3 months, patients are allowed to return to Varsity level sports. Several contact sports, such as football, boxing, and wrestling, are discouraged. Some of our patients are high level competators that have gone to the Junior Olympics and participated at the College Level in their sport.
- If I decide to bring my child to have corrective surgery at CHKD, how long will I need to plan on staying in town?
Answer:
You should plan on staying here for at least 10 days, following the schedule outlined below:
- Day 1: Evaluation
- Day 2: Tour of the Hospital, Labs, a visit with Anesthesia
- Day 3: Surgery
- Day 4-8: Hospital Stay
- Day 9 or 10: Morning visit with the surgeon prior to returning home. Scheduled a return flight home in the afternoon.
- Can my child ride in the car for a long period, or take a long flight home after the Nuss Procedure?
Answer:
Either type of transportation is fine for traveling home. If you have a long drive, plan on stopping overnight at a hotel to break-up the trip. If you are planning on flying, make sure your airline has a wheel chair ready for your child at each layover. You should also request the bulk head seats as it provides a bit more leg room.
- Does my child need to come back to CHKD for follow-up?
Answer:
Yes. Patients living out of state will need to see their pediatrician or primary care physician within 2-4 weeks of returning home. This is a simple surgical post-op visit. We will contact your child's doctor to let them know how your child did and what to look for at the post-op visit. If you reside locally, your child will return to our office for this visit. The next planned visits to our facility are at 6 months, one year, and at the 2 or 3 year anniversary for the bar removal.