Our Summary

This research paper aimed to investigate whether giving an enema before heart surgery in children affects their bowel movements after the surgery. An enema is a procedure that involves injecting a liquid into the rectum in order to stimulate bowel movements. The study also looked at whether different types of pain relief drugs and Extracorporeal Circulation (a technique that artificially circulates and oxygenates the blood) influenced children’s bowel movements post-surgery.

The researchers compared data from children who had an enema with a salt water solution before their heart surgery to children who did not have this procedure. The data that was collected gave information about the children’s bowel movements after their heart surgery.

The researchers found that the time it took for children to have a bowel movement after surgery, the type of pain relief drugs used, and the use of Extracorporeal Circulation didn’t significantly impact their bowel movements post-surgery. They also noticed a bias in their data sample, implying that the two groups of children came from different populations.

In simpler terms, this study suggests that giving an enema to children before heart surgery is not necessary as it does not affect their bowel movements after the surgery. This finding aligns with existing research on adults.

FAQs

  1. Does giving an enema before heart surgery in children affect their post-surgery bowel movements?
  2. Does the type of pain relief drugs used and the use of Extracorporeal Circulation impact the post-surgery bowel movements in children?
  3. What is the significance of the bias noticed in the data sample of the study?

Doctor’s Tip

Therefore, a helpful tip a doctor might tell a patient about pediatric cardiac surgery is that there is no need for a pre-operative enema as it does not have a significant impact on bowel movements post-surgery. This information can help alleviate any concerns or fears that parents may have about this aspect of their child’s surgery. It is important to follow the guidance and recommendations of the medical team to ensure the best possible outcomes for the child undergoing pediatric cardiac surgery.

Suitable For

Pediatric cardiac surgery is typically recommended for patients with congenital heart defects, structural heart abnormalities, or acquired heart conditions that cannot be treated with medication or other non-invasive treatments. Some common conditions that may require pediatric cardiac surgery include:

  1. Congenital heart defects: These are heart abnormalities that are present at birth and can range from simple to complex. Examples include atrial septal defect, ventricular septal defect, tetralogy of Fallot, and transposition of the great arteries.

  2. Structural heart abnormalities: These are heart conditions that develop over time and can affect the valves, chambers, or blood vessels of the heart. Examples include mitral valve prolapse, aortic stenosis, and coarctation of the aorta.

  3. Acquired heart conditions: These are heart conditions that develop later in life due to factors such as infection, inflammation, or injury. Examples include endocarditis, myocarditis, and coronary artery disease in children with a history of Kawasaki disease.

Overall, pediatric cardiac surgery is recommended for patients who require surgical intervention to correct or improve their heart function and overall quality of life. The decision to undergo pediatric cardiac surgery is made on a case-by-case basis by a multidisciplinary team of healthcare providers, including pediatric cardiologists, cardiac surgeons, and other specialists.

Timeline

Timeline:

  • Before pediatric cardiac surgery: The patient may undergo pre-operative tests and evaluations to determine the best course of action for their surgery. This may include blood tests, imaging tests, and consultations with the surgical team.
  • Day of surgery: The patient will be admitted to the hospital and prepared for surgery. This may involve fasting, receiving anesthesia, and being taken to the operating room.
  • During surgery: The pediatric cardiac surgery will be performed by the surgical team. This may involve repairing a congenital heart defect, performing a heart transplant, or other procedures.
  • After surgery: The patient will be taken to the recovery room where they will be closely monitored for any complications. This may involve staying in the intensive care unit (ICU) for a period of time.
  • Post-surgery recovery: The patient will gradually recover from the surgery, which may involve pain management, physical therapy, and monitoring of their heart function. They may be discharged from the hospital once they are stable and able to continue their recovery at home.
  • Follow-up care: The patient will have regular follow-up appointments with their healthcare team to monitor their progress and ensure that they are recovering well. This may involve additional tests and evaluations to assess their heart function.

What to Ask Your Doctor

Some questions a patient should ask their doctor about pediatric cardiac surgery in relation to this study include:

  1. Is it necessary for my child to receive an enema before their heart surgery based on the findings of this study?
  2. What type of pain relief drugs will be used for my child’s surgery and how might it impact their bowel movements post-surgery?
  3. Will my child undergo Extracorporeal Circulation during their surgery and how might it affect their bowel movements afterward?
  4. Are there any other factors or procedures that could potentially impact my child’s bowel movements after their heart surgery?
  5. How will the medical team monitor and address any potential bowel movement issues my child may experience post-surgery?
  6. Are there any specific dietary or post-operative care instructions I should follow to help promote healthy bowel movements for my child after their surgery?
  7. Are there any other studies or research findings related to pediatric cardiac surgery and bowel movements that I should be aware of?

Reference

Authors: Prendin A, Sansone V, Brugnaro L, De Barbieri I. Journal: Acta Biomed. 2019 Mar 28;90(4-S):74-78. doi: 10.23750/abm.v90i4-S.8262. PMID: 30977751