Cardiothoracic Surgery
Providing reconstructive surgery for the entire spectrum of congenital heart disease, our multidisciplinary team includes surgeons, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, cardiopulmonary perfusionists, pharmacists and respiratory therapists. By utilizing state-of-the-art technology and innovative surgical techniques, we are able to achieve long-term quality outcomes. Our commitment to repairing rather than replacing malfunctioning heart valves whenever possible helps to reduce the patient's need for future procedures.
In 2011, Children's Hospital of New Jersey and NYU School of Medicine formed
a partnership to provide comprehensive care to newborns, infants and children
with complex cardiac conditions.
Procedures performed include:
- Aortic valve repair for aortic stenosis or aortic regurgitation
- Ross procedure
- Aortic valve sparing aortic root replacement in Marfan's syndrome
- Mitral valve repair for myxomatous degeneration or rheumatic disease
- Repair of Ebstein's anomaly of the tricuspid valve
- Staged palliation for single ventricle physiology, including hypoplastic left heart syndrome
- Repair of all forms of ventricular septal defects and atrial septal defects
- Atrioventricular septal defect (AV canal) repair
- Tetralogy of Fallot
- Transposition of the great vessels
- Surgery for adult congenital heart disease, including complex reoperative surgical reconstruction
- Fontan procedure
The dedicated Pediatric Cardiothoracic Operating Room at Children’s Hospital is a full-service, state-of-the-art facility. Anesthesia and perfusion machines are tailored for use with infants and children. It is large enough to permit simultaneous use of intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography, nitric oxide administration and extracorporeal life support devices. The room also has a dedicated video-assisted surgical unit for minimally invasive procedures, and cameras with monitors for observation by perfusionists and staff. Pediatric cardiothoracic anesthesiologists team up with cardiothoracic surgeons on all surgical procedures, and are especially important in complex cardiac reconstruction. A tissue (homograft) bank is maintained for use in complex cardiac reconstructions.
The program provides the most sophisticated level of pediatric cardiac care in New Jersey while easing the emotional and financial strain on families who would otherwise have to travel out-of-state for this level of care.
