Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What steps do I need to take to have my child evaluated in the Chest Wall Clinic?

Your primary care provider can make a referral to our clinic for evaluation. You can also call our surgery office directly and ask to speak with our staff to schedule an appointment.

We recommend you bring the following with you to the appointment:

• New Patient Evaluation Form
• HIPAA Consent/Acknowledgement Form
• Copy of Insurance Card

How long does it take to complete any pre-operative testing?

Depending on the tests ordered, it may take one to two months.

Can any radiologic or allergy testing be done outside of Lucile Packard Children's Hospital Stanford?

Ideally, we would like our radiology service and allergists to be involved in the evaluation. However, we realize this is not always possible due to insurance or distance from the hospital. We recommend all images and reports of studies be directly sent to our pediatric surgery office:

Department of Pediatric Surgery
300 Pasteur Drive, Alway M116
Stanford, CA 94305

Remember that metal allergy testing may require certain panels that we can help clarify. Often, your child may need to have the test done and return to the allergists’s office a few days later for interpretation.

What is the typical age for Nuss repair?

For optimal results, the Nuss repair is typically offered during early adolescence, but can be performed with excellent results even in adults. Each patient is evaluated on an individual basis to determine a treatment plan that best suits his/her needs.

Is surgery urgent?

Surgical correction with the Nuss procedure is never an emergency. This is a procedure that must be planned. Take your time. Prepare your family and your child for the procedure.