Transitioning Care for Grown-Up Kids: Adult Surgeons' Views

Kids who were born with health issues and needed surgery are now growing up and living longer than ever. That's great news, but it also means they might need special care as adults. We talked to surgeons who handle adults to see what they think about this shift. Some of these surgeons specialize in different parts of the body, like the heart, lungs, or stomach. They told us that managing these grown-up kids can be tricky. For one, they might face new health problems related to their original issues or past surgeries. Plus, their bodies might respond differently to treatments now that they're adults. Another big challenge is that not all hospitals are set up to handle these unique cases. Some might lack the right experts or equipment. This can make it hard for these patients to get the care they need. But it's not all bad news. Some surgeons are really excited about this change. They see it as a chance to learn and grow in their field. They also think it's important to work together with pediatric surgeons to make sure these patients get the best care possible. In the end, it's clear that this shift in care is something we all need to think about. How can we make sure these grown-up kids get the care they deserve? That's a question we should all be asking.

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