The cardiothoracic surgical unit at LRH was established on 17 January 2007. This still is, the only dedicated cardiothoracic surgical service in the public sector, for not only neonates, infants and children but also for most of the adult congenital heart disease patients of the whole country.
From a modest beginning of 200 surgeries in year 2007 with the cardiothoracic unit, two cardiac operating theatres and a 6 bedded cardiac ICU, the anaesthesia team has supported to perform well over 800 open and closed heart operations both emergency and elective surgeries per year from 2011 onwards following inception of 2 operating theatres, a 12 bedded HDU in 2010. Now there is an addition of a new theatre ΓÇÿHOPE’ and Cardiac Catheterization Laboratoy.
The work force of Cardiothoracic Theatre and Cath Lab consists of Consultant Anaethetists, Nursing officers Incharge, Nursing Officers and Supportive Staff.
Dr.Asanka Hemachandra
Consultant Anaesthetists
Dr. Dharshani Hemarathna
Consultant Anaesthetists
Dr. Chamila Jayasekera
Consultant Anaesthetists
- Providing Anaesthetic support for all cardiothoracic surgeries and cardiac interventions performed in the Cardiothoracic Theatre and the Catheterization Laboratory
- Performing anaesthetic procedures related to cardiothoracic surgeries.
The unit has been recognized and approved by the Post Graduate Institute of Medicine of Sri Lanka for training of registrars and senior registrars in paediatric cardiothoracic anaesthesia and has been involved in training senior registrars for the past two years.