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health & safety topics

Your child's health and safety is our top priority. Please search our resource library for information on health, nutrition, fitness, injury prevention and other important topics.

Medical Procedures

The Ravitch Procedure

The Ravitch procedure is a surgery to correct severe pectus carinatum and pectus excavatum.

Tracheostomy

A tracheostomy is a surgically made opening in the front of the neck that goes directly into the airway. This keeps the pathway open so air can go through a tube, into the airway, and to the lungs.

Tunneled Central Lines

These surgically placed tubes let kids get blood drawn and receive intravenous (IV) medicines and fluids without repeated needle sticks.

Tympanoplasty

Tympanoplasty is a surgery to repair a hole in the eardrum that doesn’t close on its own. It can improve hearing and prevent water from getting into the middle ear.

Ureteral Stent

A ureteral stent is a small plastic tube placed inside the ureter to help pee pass from a kidney into the bladder.

Vagus Nerve Stimulator Therapy for Epilepsy

Vagus nerve stimulator (VNS) therapy is a treatment for epilepsy. It helps prevent or shorten the length of seizures.

VP Shunts

A VP shunt is a small plastic tube that helps drain extra cerebrospinal fluid from the brain. Most VP shunts are placed to treat hydrocephalus.

What Is a Cardiac Catheterization? (Video)

A cardiac catheterization is a procedure that cardiologists (heart doctors) do. They put a catheter (a long, thin tube) into a blood vessel, then guide it the heart. Cardiac catheterizations help doctors diagnose and treat many different heart problems.

What Is Indocyanine Green (ICG)?

Indocyanine green (ICG) is a medical dye doctors use to find and help treat problems in certain parts of the body.

What Is Interventional Radiology (IR)?

Interventional radiology (IR) is a way for doctors to treat problems like vascular anomalies and tumors.