Pennsylvania Surgery Reviews

What CHD does/did your child have? :: L-transposition of the great vessels, VSD, Pulmonary stenosis

What did you think of the hospital and staff? :: CHOP was great, everyone was very assuring and honest. There was a very caring attitude with everyone we encountered. The facility was very comfortable, many new feature, family friendly, easy to get around.

What did you think of the surgeon? :: Dr Spray reminded us of a country doctor. Very comforting demeanor, talked strait with us, wanted to make sure all our questions were answered. He was available and seemed to be present a lot on the recovery floor

Would you take your child back to this facility/surgeon? :: yes, plan to go for catheterization July 2006

Any advice for others looking at this facility/surgeon? :: My wife and I chose this facility because we have family around Philly. My sister works in the hospital network there also and knew of the reputation CHOP has. We were very pleased how our daughter was handled and the way we were treated during this difficult time.

Where was your child's surgery done? :: Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP)

What did you think of the hospital and staff? :: Wonderful. The Cardiac Intensive Care staff are great! They keep the family informed of everything that is going on, and the procedures that are being done to your child.

What did you think of the surgeon? :: Dr. Spray is terrific! He answers any questions that you might have. He really knows what he is doing. CHOP is lucky to have him.

Would you take your child back to this facility/surgeon? :: We have been to CHOP for two surgeries, and we will return there for the third surgery.

Any advice for others looking at this facility/surgeon? :: CHOP is a huge hospital. They take care of lots of children. The staff takes great care of their patients. Dr.Spray is great!

What CHD does/did your child have? :: transposition of the greater arteries (TGA) 2VSD,PS

Where was your child's surgery done? :: Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP)

What did you think of the hospital and staff? :: Loved them, they were great every step of the way. They let us know everything that was going on, and explained her condition very good, even drew us pictures of her condition.

What did you think of the surgeon? :: He was wonderful. He did an awesome job, and he explained everything perfectly about what he did during the surgery and what she would need later in life.

Would you take your child back to this facility/surgeon? :: Absolutely, she has to have her surgery done again in about 3 yrs. and we will go there.

Any advice for others looking at this facility/surgeon? :: Pray, Pray, Pray. Ask as many questions that you can think of, write them down so you wont forget them. This is a great place!

What CHD does/did your child have? Pulmonary Stenosis & Atrial Septal Defect

What was done to correct this CHD? She had a cath procedure called Balloon Valvuloplasty for the PS. She still has minimal blockage and still has a small hole in her heart.

Where was your child's surgery done? Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center - Cardiovascular Observation Unit (CVOU)

Who did the surgery? Dr. Howard S. Weber

When was the surgery done? September 14, 2004

What did you think of the hospital and staff? The care we received here we wouldn't have received this care at our local hospital. It was Excellent!!

What did you think of the surgeon? He is the best cardiologist we could have hoped for and we are so glad him and his staff are in our lives. We have a lot of respect for him. He is truly gifted, very patient :)

Would you take your child back to this facility/surgeon? Most def. She continues to go there for checkups and visits.

Any advice for others looking at this facility/surgeon? This is one of the best children's hospital in Pennsylvania that you could go to. I highly recommend this to anyone.

What was done to correct this CHD? Blallock-Taussig Shunt in 1973 and the Classic Fontan Operation in 1985. I was one of the first children to receive this operation in Pittsburgh.

Where was your child's surgery done? I had my first two major surgeries at Pittsburgh Children's Hospital.

Who did the surgery? When was it done? Dr. Ralph Siewers did the Fontan Operation on May 7, 1985

What did you think of the hospital and staff? Many of them are still considered part of my family since we have grown up together for the past 30 years. I would trust the cardiology staff with my life especially the ones that have been there as long as I have been around.

What did you think of the surgeon? I would trust this surgeon with my life. He just recently retired last year, so I am very fearful of getting another surgeon for my revision of the Fontan. Hopefully, I will find someone as good as he was to me and my family. He is a remarkable surgeon!!!!!!

Would you take your child back to this facility/surgeon? Yes, I would go back to Pittsburgh in a heartbeat. I've trusted that hospital and its staff for numerous years. Now that I am married and have moved to another state I regret leaving the people that have so graciously helped my family over the years with my disease. I have yet to see a hospital to match it.

Any advice for others looking at this facility/surgeon? I am not too sure who the surgeon is now for congenital heart disease, but I do recommend this hospital to any new parent who has a child with congenital heart disease. I would suggest that they would take this advice from a long time congenital heart patient who has been to several hospitals across the nation with my congenital heart disease.

Pittsburgh Children's Hospital

What CHD does/did your child have? She had Idiopathic Dilated Cardiomyopathy

What was done to correct this CHD? Heart Transplant

Where was your child's surgery done? Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh

Who did the surgery? Dr. Pigula

When was the surgery done? July 19, 2000

What did you think of the hospital and staff? The hospital and staff are great, they always seem to care a great deal about my daughter and her care.

What did you think of the surgeon? I liked him although we only met on 2 occasions and he is no longer at the hospital.

Would you take your child back to this facility/surgeon? We still take our daughter to this facility for her follow-up care.

Any advice for others looking at this facility/surgeon? The hospital is great, the transplant doctors are wonderful, they all care very much for their patients and do everything they can to make sure the children are healthy and safe.

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What did you think of the hospital and staff? :: Amazing! The staff not only helps Aiden but helps me as well!

What did you think of the surgeon? :: Also amazing. He is extremely knowledgeable and compassionate. He gives 200% to his patients, is always on call, and demands excellence from himself and from his staff.

Any advice for others looking at this facility/surgeon? :: I am so happy with my decision to come see Dr. Jacobs. I could not have imagined anyone better suited to care for my baby!