Childcare & Rehabilitation After Pediatric Brain Tumor Surgery

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Regular physical exams, diagnostic procedures, or both may be part of your follow-up care. Doctors want to monitor your healing over the coming months and years. You should routinely be examined for new symptoms and with regular MRI scans because many pediatric brain tumors are quite likely to relapse or come back. Your medical team will go over your precise plan with you because it relies on the type of pediatric brain tumor and other elements of how frequently you arrange follow-up appointments and have scans. Rehabilitation after pediatric brain surgery may also be advised to patients.

Side Effects And Risks Of Pediatric Brain Surgery

Recovery after pediatric brain tumor treatment may take some time. Recovery varies greatly from person to person.

Children frequently feel worse right after the surgery than they did before. If you are unprepared, this can upset you. Since removing a brain tumour is a major procedure, it could take some time before you notice any advantages.

Brain swelling may result from pediatric brain surgery. Your medical professionals will keep a close eye on this and treat your child to lessen the swelling. However, it could still result in pediatric brain surgery risks like:

  • Personality or behavior changes
  • Confusion
  • Problems with your speech
  • Fits (seizures)
  • Weakness
  • Dizzy spells
  • Poor balance or lack of coordination

Post Pediatric Brain Surgery Care

Your child will probably spend the night in a neuro-critical care unit (NCCU) for observation following the pediatric brain surgery. They might have an oxygen mask, a catheter, an IV, and a cardiac monitor attached. For a day or two, they will also wear a dressing (bandage) on the head. After your child leaves the NCCU, they will be asked to continue the recuperation at a nursing facility for neurosurgery. The day after the pediatric brain surgery, they should be able to get out of bed to eat and go for brief walks. The IVs will be taken out of their arms once they are able to eat and drink regularly.

After the childhood brain tumor treatment, a normal hospital stay lasts two to five days. The day following surgery, an MRI or CT scan will be done to evaluate the effectiveness of the treatment.

The precise length of stay is based on a number of variables, including the type of operation done and whether there were any problems that needed additional care.

You will be given comprehensive instructions on how to take care of your child at home post-pediatric brain surgery and what to anticipate during recovery before they are allowed to leave the hospital. It is essential to take good aftercare post-surgery to avoid pediatric brain surgery risks. Extended family members and caregivers should also learn how to take care of pediatric brain tumor patients to avoid any and all complications. 

Your child can continue their recovery at home with home-based or outpatient physical, occupational, and speech therapy after being discharged from the hospital, if necessary. Your surgeon will need to see them again in about a week to evaluate their health and remove any staples or stitches. They may need to stay longer in some circumstances.

It can take some time for their energy levels to recover to normal. Extra rest is needed for recovery post pediatric brain surgery which is a part of home care. Each child’s recovery period following pediatric brain tumor surgery is unique and depends on a variety of factors, including:

  • The process by which the pediatric brain tumors were removed
  • The pediatric brain tumor’s position within the brain
  • Brain regions affected by the pediatric brain surgery
  • Age and general well-being of the child who underwent pediatric brain surgery

Precautions After Pediatric Brain Surgery

  • Your child must have a companion when they first begin to walk. The physiotherapist they typically see can assist with breathing and movement exercises.
  • The recovery period after pediatric brain tumor treatment must be extended. Nurses and other medical support staff will provide assistance for the first several days to prevent strain and avoid any pediatric brain surgery risks. This is crucial as the skull may get more compressed if you strain.
  • Your child might need to lay flat for a few days, depending on the procedure. Alternatively, they could have the head of the bed raised to lessen brain swelling.

Thus, aftercare for pediatric brain surgery is crucial to ensure that the patient stays healthy and enjoys life after brain tumor surgery.

Your AsterDM Team

At AsterDM Healthcare, our team of expert pediatric specialists is dedicated to delivering personalized and effective treatment plans for children with brain tumors. As part of our comprehensive pediatric care center, our pediatric neuro-oncologists lead the way in treating these complex cases, collaborating with specialists in pediatric neurology, neurosurgery, neuroradiology, endocrinology, neuropathology, radiation oncology, oncology, psychology, and rehabilitation to ensure your child receives the best care possible.

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