Paediatric heart surgery

Our centre for paediatric cardiac surgery at Skåne University Hospital is the largest in Scandinavia. It is one of two centres in Sweden. All forms of surgical treatment are offered to children with congenital heart defects, including heart transplantation and mechanical heart support for children on waiting lists.

Around 350 heart surgical procedures are performed annually with top international results. Because of this high quality, the centre treats all Icelandic cases of children with congenital heart defects.

Early diagnosis and early treatment are important in congenital heart defects, as children with untreated heart failure suffer, for example, of growth failure and lung problems that complicate surgery. In Skåne University Hospital, about 60 percent of children who undergo surgery for congenital heart disease is younger than one year. The mortality rate is below 1 percent.

Caring for children and families

Multidisciplinary teams work together at the Children’s Hospital to meet children’s medical, emotional, cognitive, and psychosocial needs. The hospital offers the latest therapies, diagnostic tools, and clinical trials in a family-friendly environment. Other needs are cared for too, like a hospital school, playroom, sibling/family support, physiotherapy, and if necessary, accommodation.

Medical professionals with special competence staff the all-age intensive care unit for complicated heart surgeries, surgical diseases, and acute infectious and paediatric diseases.