Medical Complications

some medical complications include difficulty weaning from ventilator due to phrenic nerve palsy paralyzing diaphragm mobility

Prolonged mechanical ventilation can result in:

nosocomial pneumonia, increased post-op fluid, low CO, tracheostomies, gastronomies, vocal cord paralysis

Longer hospital LOS, multiple surgeries & tube feeding have shown to increase pt risk for neurologic complications

Prolonged surgical time can result in:

Decreased CO, arrhythmias, diminished cerebral BF, diminished brain maturation, smaller brain volumes, white matter injury, circulatory arrest, seizures

Role of PT is to provide early education to families about:

impact of complications, safe handling techniques, positioning, adaptive equipment available

What type of pediatric eval techniques would you use post op?

s/s, hx

What type of outcome measures would you use to track progress post op?

AIMs

What specific intervention techniques would you utilize to encourage progress post op?

Positioning & respiratory techniques to mobilize secretions & increase aeration

Early mobilization (ROM, ambulation)