Your child’s surgeon may ask for your child to have:

• A complete medical history and physical exam before the procedure
• Chest measurements and photos of the chest
• An EKG (electrocardiogram) or echo (echocardiogram) that shows how the heart is functioning
• Pulmonary function tests (PFTs) to check for any breathing problems
• CT (computed tomography scan) or MRI (magnetic resonance image) of the chest to look at the internal structures below the chest

Always tell your child’s doctor or nurse:

• What drugs your child is taking. Include drugs, herbs, vitamins, or any other supplements you bought without a prescription.
• About any allergies your child may have to medicine, latex, tape, or skin cleaner

During the days before the surgery:

• About 10 days before surgery, your child may be asked to stop taking aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), warfarin (Coumadin), and any other drugs that make it hard for blood to clot.
• Ask your child’s doctor which drugs your child should still take on the day of surgery.

On the day of the surgery:

• Your child will usually be asked not to drink or eat anything after midnight the night before surgery.
• Give your child any drugs your doctor told you to give with a small sip of water.
• Your child’s doctor or nurse will tell you when to arrive at the hospital.
• The doctor will make sure your child has no signs of illness before surgery. If your child is ill, the surgery may be delayed.