


Ventricular septal defect Treatment in SJD Barcelona Children’s Hospital
About the clinic
Ventricular septal defect treatment at SJD Barcelona Children’s Hospital in Barcelona, Spain, involves advanced robotic and fetal surgery options. The hospital is known for being the first in Europe to use robotic surgery for congenital heart defects. This facility holds accreditations from NACHRI and the Spanish National Board of Health, serving as a major referral center for complex pediatric cases.
Specialized cardiology team
The pediatric cardiology service is led by Dr. Joan Sánchez de Toledo. He manages a team that performs over 250 cardiac surgeries every year. Dr. Sánchez de Toledo focuses on treating congenital heart diseases through both surgical intervention and active research. The hospital operates as a Joint Center for Congenital Heart Diseases with Hospital Clínic. This partnership supports patients from the fetal stage through adulthood. The facility houses 330+ inpatient beds and employs over 3,000 staff members to handle pediatric heart conditions.
Advanced diagnostic planning
Precise planning is a standard part of the treatment process at SJD Barcelona. Doctors use high-resolution tools to map the heart before any intervention. Available diagnostics include:
- High-resolution fetal ultrasound. This tool detects heart defects early in pregnancy.
- Fetal echocardiography. It provides detailed images of the unborn child's heart structure.
- Cardiac MRI. This scan creates clear pictures of the heart chambers and blood vessels.
- 3D heart modeling and printing. Surgeons create physical replicas of the patient's heart to plan complex surgeries.
Treatment and surgical methods
The clinic offers several ways to close a ventricular septal defect, ranging from prenatal procedures to robotic-assisted techniques. The surgical team performs 300+ heart surgeries annually with high success rates.
- Robotic-assisted congenital heart defect repair. This minimally invasive surgery uses a thoracoscopic closure technique. Patients typically stay in the hospital for 2 to 4 days.
- Fetal cardiac surgery. This prenatal intervention uses echo-guided techniques to correct defects before birth. The team has performed 2,000+ fetal interventions. The mother usually stays in the hospital for 1 to 2 days.
- Conventional surgical VSD closure. This open-heart surgery uses a median sternotomy or right thoracotomy. The estimated hospital stay is 5 to 7 days.
International patients at SJD Barcelona Children’s Hospital can use dedicated services. These include interpreters, airport transfers, and help with hotel bookings. You can request a consultation for ventricular septal defect treatment through the Bookimed platform.
Highlights
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Treatments prices in the clinic
| treatment | Price | |
|---|---|---|
| Atrial septal defect surgery | Price on request | |
| Interventricular septal defect surgery | Price on request | |
| Open heart surgery | Price on request |
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hospital accreditations of quality
SJD Barcelona Children’s Hospital: more details about the clinic
SJD Barcelona Children's Hospital (Spain) has been providing medical care since 1867. It is a leading Mother and Child Center, treating patients from infancy to 18 years old. The hospital is part of the National Association of Children's Hospitals and Related Institutions (NACHRI) and is accredited by Spain’s National Board of Health.
Key Facts (2023):
- 16,000+ surgeries performed
- 3,000+ deliveries
- 322,000+ outpatient visits
- 334 inpatient beds
- 3,082 staff members
Specialized Medical Divisions
The hospital has two main units:
- Child’s Unit – Covers all pediatric specialties, including oncology and hematology.
- Women’s Unit – Focuses on maternity care, high-risk pregnancies, fetal medicine, and gynecology.
Innovations in Treatment
SJD Barcelona Children's Hospital develops advanced and safe treatment methods in its research laboratories. Specialists focus on:
- Genetic and molecular biology research
- Neurometabolic and hereditary disorders
- Fetal disease studies
- Cancer research
Ongoing projects include:
- Telemonitoring for pregnant patients
- Smart sensors for neonatal care
- Therapy through play for pediatric patients
SJD Pediatric Cancer Center
One of Europe's top pediatric oncology and hematology centers, the Cancer Center features:
- HEPA-filtered rooms for post-bone marrow transplant care
- Intra-arterial chemotherapy for retinoblastoma, preserving the eye while targeting tumors
- Anti-GD2 immunotherapy for neuroblastoma, improving survival rates by 20%
- Nanofiber-based tissue for localized cancer treatment
- Ongoing vaccine development for brain and spinal cord tumors
Survival Rates:
- Acute lymphoblastic leukemia – 94%
- Bone marrow transplant:
- From a related donor – 90-100%
- From an unrelated donor – 70-80%
Cardiology Center
With over 300 surgeries annually, the hospital’s cardiology team treats congenital heart conditions and complex cardiovascular disorders. It has one of Europe's highest success rates and lowest mortality rates for pediatric cardiac surgery.
Surgery Department
Minimally invasive techniques reduce complications and recovery time. These include:
- Laparoscopy
- Thoracoscopy
- Tendoscopic surgery
- Robotic-assisted procedures
- Laser and ultrasonic surgical systems
Orthopedics and Traumatology
The orthopedic team treats scoliosis, pediatric arthrogryposis, hip joint disorders, tumors, bone inflammation, clubfoot, and congenital defects. Innovative techniques are used for posture correction and spinal alignment.
Neurology Department
Recognized by Spain’s Ministry of Health, the neurology unit specializes in treating:
- Refractory epilepsy
- Neurometabolic disorders
- Hereditary spastic paraplegia
- Ataxia
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
A multidisciplinary team develops personalized rehabilitation programs for conditions such as:
- Brain and spinal cord injuries
- Stroke
- Neurological and rheumatic diseases
- Amputations
- Musculoskeletal disorders
- Bladder and bowel dysfunctions
Patient Services
The hospital offers single, double, and triple rooms. Staff assists with hotel bookings, visas, and documentation. Additional services, including transfers and interpreters, are available for an extra fee. English and Spanish are spoken.
For treatment costs, patients can submit a request through Bookimed.
Additional services
Requirements for admission
Patient reviews
View 44 reviewsДенис • Brain tumor Kazakhstan
All consultations were organised in a highly professional manner with the necessary preparation
Natalia Rayskiy • Liver cancer
Мы очень довольны клиникой Sant Joan de Deu, в которой наблюдается наш ребёнок
Usrat tayeba Tayeba Tori • Surgery for syringomyelia Canada
he was really good and informative
Любовь • Spina bifida (cleft spine) Ukraine
"You are best !!!"
Passeig de Sant Joan de Déu, 2, 08950 Esplugues de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
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