Is a routine chest X-ray indicated before discharge following paediatric cardiac surgery?
In many paediatric cardiosurgical units, a chest X-ray is routinely performed before discharge. We sought to evaluate the clinical impact of such routine radiographs in the management of children after cardiac surgery. Of 100 consecutive children, a chest X-ray was performed in 71 prior to discharge. Of these, 38 were clinically indicated, while 33 were performed as a routine. Therapeutic changes were instituted on the basis of the X-ray in 4 patients, in all of whom the imaging had been clinically indicated. No therapeutic changes followed those radiographs performed on a routine basis.


CONCLUSIONS
Routine chest radiographs can be omitted prior to discharging patients after paediatric heart surgery.
Bosse
Kerstin
K
Department of Paediatric Cardiology, Evelina Children's Hospital, London, UK.
Krasemann
Thomas
T
D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures; D003955:Diagnostic Tests, Routine / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006330:Heart Defects, Congenital / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D010351:Patient Discharge; D011182:Postoperative Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006113:United Kingdom