How Does a Second Opinion Help in Paediatric Surgery?
Get expert medical guidance for your loved ones with a second opinion from U.S. doctors
Introduction:
Invasive treatment options like surgery can be associated with consequences such as postoperative pain, infection, bleeding, nerve injury, etc. Before deciding the treatment plan, the overall health status of the child must be assessed. Surgery recommended for children can be associated with risks. Hence, it is important to get a second opinion that helps in exploring alternative treatment options that are minimally invasive.
Major conditions that require a medical second opinion:
Cancer:
A cancer diagnosis can be an overwhelming experience that can trigger anxiety. Chemotherapy, surgery, radiotherapy, etc are usually recommended. When doctors suggest a surgery, parents can seek a second opinion to determine whether less invasive approaches are available for their children.
Congenital heart defects:
Congenital defects can alter the way in which the heart pumps blood that can cause an obstruction in the blood flow. Babies who are born with heart defects requires monitoring. Surgery is not necessary in all cases. A second opinion can help to know about the condition of the heart, which will help in deciding the treatment plan.
Appendicitis:
Orthopedic conditions:
A second medical opinion can help to understand conservative approaches in children diagnosed with orthopedic conditions such as arthritis. Braces and physical therapy can be used to manage the symptoms.
Role of virtual second opinions in pediatric surgery:
With the help of virtual platforms, families can get access to top-notch specialists remotely. An expert medical opinion from a specialist can help in assessing the condition of the child. The diagnosis and treatment plan can be decided based on the blood tests, and medical reports.
Virtual consultations can save the cost and time of both parents and children. A study was conducted on 1124 paediatric patients with different surgical conditions. Around 94% of patients attended virtual consultations. Overall patient satisfaction was observed to be 92%.
Virtual platforms also facilitate follow-up to ensure optimum care for the patients.
How to get a pediatric surgical second opinion?
Getting a second opinion in pediatric surgery helps in the clarification of diagnosis and treatment plan. Firstly, choose the doctor by verifying the credentials and expertise.
Before consultation, it is important to evaluate the success rate by checking testimonials from the website. You can raise questions if you have doubts about diagnosis or treatment plan. When the specialist suggest a treatment plan, you should enquire about the benefits and risks. The doctor will provide the second opinion based on clinical symptoms, medical documents and imaging tests.
Role of parents in deciding treatment plan for their children:
It is important to realise that parents should actively participate in making decisions regarding their children’s healthcare. There should be daily communication between parents and doctors that helps in monitoring the child’s condition.
To cope with this, parents must know their child’s health status. Researching and understanding the nature of the disease helps to reduce frustrating thoughts.
The parents must provide mental support for their children that helps them to recover. When children experience loneliness, it can affect their health status and treatment outcomes.
Challenges:
The whole process of treatment journey is stressful as it involves regular hospital visits and frequent tests. If surgery is proposed by the doctor, they will feel anxious and confused. To overcome the emotional turmoil, it is important to share the problems with friends or family members. Parents can also seek psychological support (counseling) that helps them to relieve their stress. Apart from sharing problems, it is crucial to communicate transparently with the specialist and clarify the doubts.
Conclusion:
Getting a second opinion in pediatric surgery is a crucial step that helps in providing alternative treatment options. By obtaining a medical second opinion, there is a possibility to explore conservative management approaches. Long-term consequences of surgery can be avoided with the help of a second opinion. Expert opinions from specialists can help patients feel less anxious and more satisfied. With the help of virtual platforms, families can connect with top specialists and explore alternative treatment options.
Trusted platforms like My American Doctor connect patients with top specialists and get their medical advice without the need to travel. These services give people more faith in their treatment options, which makes sure they get the safest and most effective care. Utilizing second opinions from top specialists allows patients to make smarter decisions regarding their healthcare.
At My American Doctor, we put international patients in touch with the top U.S. doctors so that they can get skilled medical advice. You or your loved one can get the best possible care through our platform, which gives you safe and easy access to top medical professionals. Don’t leave your loved one’s health to uncertainty—seek a second opinion today.
References:
- Mayo Clinic. Congenital heart defects in children: Symptoms and causes [Internet]. Rochester (MN): Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; c1998-2025 [updated 2023 Apr 19; cited 2025 Mar 29]. Available from: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/congenital-heart-defects-children/symptoms-causes/syc-20350074
- Sorribes IC, Suntharalingam S, Diaz A, Ward JL, Chew-Graham CA, Rowe A, et al. Emotional and behavioural impact of congenital heart disease in children and young people: a qualitative study. BMJ Paediatr Open [Internet]. 2023;7(1):e001855 [cited 2025 Mar 29]. Available from: https://bmjpaedsopen.bmj.com/content/7/1/e001855
- Baird LC, Gonda DD, Laws ER, et al. Second opinions in pediatric neurosurgery: a multicenter study on parental perspectives and their impact on care. J Pediatr [Internet]. 2021;239:190-198.e3 [cited 2025 Mar 29]. Available from: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022346821007880
- National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Chronic pain (primary and secondary) in over 16s: assessment of all chronic pain and management of chronic primary pain [Internet]. London: NICE; 2021 Apr 7 [cited 2025 Mar 29]. Available from: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng204/chapter/Recommendations