Heart and Chest

  • Thoracotomy / Lung Surgery
  • Pectus (NUSS)
  • Rib Fracture
  • Valve Repair or Replacement (Aortic or Mitral)
  • Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG)

Overview

Heart and chest surgery involves surgical procedures of the heart, lungs, esophagus, and other organs in the chest. These procedures are used to treat a wide range of conditions and can be performed due to a medical emergency such as a heart attack or scheduled procedures such as a heart valve replacement. The most common types of heart and chest surgery are thoracotomy, pectus (NUSS) procedure, rib fractures, aortic valve replacement (AVR), mitral valve repair/replacement (MVR), and coronary artery bypass graft (CABG). 

If you proceed with surgery for your heart or chest condition, the surgeon will typically perform open, endoscopic, or robotic surgery. Open heart or chest surgery involves a large incision in the chest and is performed if the surgical area is hard to access. Endoscopic or robotic heart or chest surgery involves a smaller incision and uses surgical aids to perform the surgery with limited exposure. Endoscopic or robotic surgery typically allows for an earlier recovery; however, pain is expected after recovery from either surgery. It is important to talk to your doctor about what to expect before, during, and after the procedure to optimize your recovery and pain relief.

Before the Procedure

Your clinical care team, surgeon, and anesthesia provider will determine the best pain management solution specific to your post-operative plan.

Once you arrive at the hospital or surgery center, an anesthesia provider will determine which type of anesthesia is best for you and your surgery. Based on their assessment, your anesthesia provider may place a continuous nerve block catheter connected to a pain pump to extend your pain relief near the joint. The pump will allow a local anesthetic to be delivered to relieve pain near the surgical area.

Your surgeon also has the option to place the pain pump if that is their preference. With the surgeon’s placement, the catheter is inserted near the surgical site during the procedure.

During the Procedure

If your anesthesia provider places your catheter, they will protect the catheter during the procedure. If your surgeon places the catheter, they will insert the catheter towards the end of the surgical procedure.

After the Procedure

Your surgeon will have discussed whether you will be admitted to the hospital after surgery or go home the same day. Pain is expected but should be tolerable. After the procedure, you will be educated on how to use your pain pump and any other pain medications. 

Your First Day at Home

Follow your clinician’s instructions regarding caretaker support, diet, recovery, and rehabilitation. They will also educate you on your pain pump prior to going home.

If you have questions or need more information on your pain pump, please check out our FAQ page and Resources page or call our 24/7 nurse hotline at 1-800-444-2728.

REFERENCES

https://www.verywellhealth.com/cardiothoracic-defined-3157055  

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/21502-open-heart-surgery