Postoperative Complications In Patients Undergoing Paediatric Cardiac Surgery, Single Center Experience.

Abstract

Introduction

Complications from paediatric heart surgery can affect multiple organs and significantly influence the length of hospital stay as well as the outcome following discharge. Although the majority of complications are directly linked to the surgical procedure, respiratory issues remain a substantial and often underestimated cause of morbidity and death following congenital heart surgery.

Aim

This study set out to evaluate the connection between the overall result and the complications.

Patients and methods

235 children (ages 0 to 18, excluding preterm infants) who had open-heart surgery within a 2-years period at Assiut University Heart Center were included in this retrospective descriptive analysis. Data from preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative procedures are included to assess the number of problems that occur.

Results

There is a significant correlation between the length of cardiopulmonary bypass time and the occurrence of complications following paediatric cardiac procedures; the longer the cardiopulmonary bypass time, the higher the likelihood of complications. Research on adult cardiac surgery has shown similar results to this one, demonstrating that difficulties following heart surgery are linked to longer hospital stays.

Conclusion

Surgery is the ideal treatment for paediatric cardiac diseases. Nearly 25% of paediatric cardiac surgery cases had problems following surgery. The majority of them had complex congenital anomalies characterized by varying degrees of respiratory or cardiac failure. Longer cardiopulmonary bypass time are associated with higher complications and mortality rate. This study's findings indicate that suitable timing of surgical intervention and closely monitored care are critical in reducing the frequency of serious consequences.