Caring for Your Child After Chest Surgery

Recovering from chest surgery can take time. To help the chest muscles heal, don't let your child do activities that strain or hurt.

Your child had a sternotomy, which is a procedure that allows a surgeon to move the sternum (breastbone) out of the way and divide it to reach the organs inside the chest. The breastbone is the strong bone in the center of the chest that holds the ribs in place, and protects the heart, lungs, and blood vessels underneath.

After the surgery, the surgeon used heavy stitches (sutures) or steel wires to reconnect the breastbone and hold it in position (like a permanent interior "cast" for a broken bone). Stitches are then used to pull the skin and muscles together so they can heal.

Not straining the chest muscles is an important part of the healing process. Healing usually takes about 6–12 weeks. During that time, your child should avoid all activities that can strain the chest unless the surgeon says they're OK.

• Give any prescribed medicine as directed by the surgeon.

• Change bandages or dressings as directed.

• Keep the incision covered with a bandage or a "onesie" so your child cannot scratch it. Scratching can cause a skin infection.

• Watch for signs of infection, such as redness, swelling, or pus around the wound.

• Check that no stitches or staples have come loose.

• If your child is an infant, continue to breast- or bottle-feed as usual. Offer your toddler or older child healthy foods. Protein and vitamins from fruit and vegetables, plus getting enough calories, will help your child heal from the surgery.

• When bathing:

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  • Your child can take a sponge bath or shower.

  • A tub bath is OK, but be sure that the water does not cover the incision.

• Your child shouldn't swim or go in a hot tub for 6 weeks.

• Make sure your child takes a break from physical education, gym, and team sports unless the surgeon says they're OK.

To Help With Healing

Your child should:

• Do only gently activities that don't strain the chest muscles.

• Gently and slowly move his or her arms often. Movements are OK if they don't cause pain, strain, or a stretching or clicking feeling in chest.

• Do a "log roll" when turning over in bed:

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  • Holding the arms close to his or her sides or crossed on the chest, your child should roll like a log.

• Cross his or her arms in front of the chest when:

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  • Standing up or sitting down.

  • Getting in or out of a bed or car.

• Hug a pillow when coughing, sneezing, vomiting, or pooping:

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  • If a cough or sneeze is sudden and there is no time to grab a pillow, your child should "hug" himself or herself instead.

Your child should NOT:

• Do activities that cause discomfort.

• Bear weight on the arms. This means not using the arms to change positions in bed; stand up; or get in or out of a chair, car, or bed.

• Push or pull heavy objects, such as shopping carts or furniture.

• Lift more than 10 pounds.

• Open heavy doors or drawers.

• Drive a car or ride a bike.

• Climb jungle gyms.

• Wear a backpack.

• Sleep on his or her stomach or side.

• Ride in any seat of a car with an airbag. Turn off the airbag or choose a seat that doesn't have an airbag.

Your child:

• Has increased chest pain.

• Has a clicking or popping feeling in the breastbone.

• Is eating less than usual.

• Develops a fever.

• Has redness, swelling, or pus around the incision.

• Has numbness or tingling in the shoulder, arm, or hand.

• Your child appears dehydrated; signs include:

  • a dry or sticky mouth

  • sunken eyes

  • crying with few or no tears

  • peeing less often (or having fewer wet diapers)

  • dizziness or drowsiness

Call your surgeon if you were told to do so.

• Your child has pus or blood coming out of the incision.

• The stitches or staples come loose.

• The incision opens.