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Pediatric Cardiothoracic Surgery

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Appointments 312.227.4240

Lurie Children's Specialties & Conditions Cardiovascular-Thoracic Surgery

Led by Division Head Joseph M. Forbess, MD, MBA, the Heart Center's renowned cardiovascular-thoracic surgery team provides comprehensive surgical care for all congenital and acquired cardiac defects.

The surgical team has particular expertise in neonatal repairs, coronary artery problems, vascular rings, tracheal abnormalities, mitral valve repair, arterial switch for transposition of the great arteries, tetralogy of Fallot, palliative and reparative operations, and the Fontan and Norwood procedures.

With high volumes and strong outcomes, the team leads the nation in arrhythmia surgery, integrating this technique into the repair of congenital heart defects in infants and children as well as adults.

As the surgical core of the region's largest pediatric heart transplant program, the team collaborates closely with pediatric cardiologists.

Our Cardiovascular-Thoracic Surgeons

Joseph M. Forbess, MD, MBA

Joseph M. Forbess, MD, MBA

Division Head, Cardiovascular-Thoracic Surgery; Surgical Director, Single Ventricle Reconstruction Program; Willis J. Potts, MD Professorship in Surgery; Member, Lurie Children's Surgical Foundation

  • Seeing Patients at 1 Location
Carl L. Backer, MD

Carl L. Backer, MD

Attending Physician, Cardiovascular-Thoracic Surgery; Chief Medical Philanthropy Officer; A.C. Buehler Professor of Surgery; Member, Lurie Children's Surgical Foundation

  • Seeing Patients at 1 Location
Osama M. Eltayeb

Osama M. Eltayeb, MD

Attending Physician, Cardiovascular-thoracic Surgery; Member, Lurie Children's Surgical Foundation

  • Seeing Patients at 1 Location
Michael C. Monge, MD

Michael C. Mongé, MD

Attending Physician, Cardiovascular-Thoracic Surgery; Member, Lurie Children's Surgical Foundation

  • Seeing Patients at 1 Location

Specialized Expertise

Advanced care for infants, children and teens includes specialization in areas including:

  • Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO)
  • Post-Fontan procedure for complex single-ventricle patients, including assessment for Fontan conversion and arrhythmia surgery
  • Initial operation or reoperation for adolescents and adults with congenital heart disease
  • Arrhythmia surgery in conjunction with surgery for patients with a residual or recurrent congenital heart defect after previous repair
  • Congenital vascular rings/tracheal stenosis and associated pulmonary artery sling malformation
  • Coronary artery anomalies, including anomalies of origin and acquired disease as seen in some patients with Kawasaki disease

Surgeons are supported by a Heart Center team of specially trained pediatric caregivers with experience treating congenital heart disease in children. These specialists include anesthesiologists, intensivists, advanced practice nurses, perfusionists​ and technologists.

Contact Us

To cancel or reschedule and make return appointments, please reach our Cardiovascular-Thoracic Surgery team at 312.227.4240.

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Heart Center Family Resource Guide

To help prepare families for their care with Lurie Children's Heart Center, we have compiled a list of resources that may be of use throughout treatment — whether it's preparing for an inpatient stay or outpatient visit, or learning more about the support services available to patients and families.

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