Colorado Springs

Our providers are experts in performing many surgical procedures. Additionally, being part of a large network allows us to work directly with other pediatric physicians who bring an added level of expertise for procedures that require further specialization.

In our state-of-the-art pediatric-specific minimally invasive suite, we perform our surgical procedures using the least invasive technique that is medically safe. Our surgical procedures include:

Neonatal surgery

Our surgical teams repair congenital abnormalities, including congenital pulmonary airway malformation (CPAM). We also treat esophageal atresia (EA) and other neonatal and perinatal disorders.

Pediatric general surgery

We treat hernias, including inguinal hernias, umbilical hernias and epigastric hernias. Our surgical teams also perform hernia repair and build treatment plans for gastrointestinal (GI) disorders.

Chest wall abnormality correction

A chest wall abnormality occurs when there is a structural deformity of the chest. This can develop in two ways:

• Pectus excavatum: In this case, the chest bone dips inward. Some people call this a ‘funnel’ or ‘sunken’ chest. Affecting about 1 in 300 children, this is the most common type of chest wall deformity.
• Pectus carinatum: This occurs when the breastbone protrudes and can be referred to as ‘pigeon chest.’ This condition affects about one in 1,000 children. Both affect more boys than girls.

While both types of chest wall deformity are present at birth, many people do not notice them until their early teen years. Many people with these conditions have no symptoms other than a difference in their physical appearance. Some people — especially those with pectus excavatum — may have trouble breathing during exercise or develop asthma, respiratory infections and scoliosis. However, the most common complaint of both conditions is an altered physical appearance of the chest.

Treatments for chest wall deformity

When treating the chest wall deformity, our team first evaluates the significance of the bone deformity and how it is affecting your child's health — both physically and psychologically. Then, the team works with your child and your family to create a treatment plan, always considering nonsurgical options first, if possible. More severe cases of pectus excavatum may require a form of surgical correction while pectus carinatum is most often treated successfully with bracing.

Custom bracing for pectus carinatum

We offer custom bracing for the treatment of pectus carinatum. In this case, no invasive treatment is needed. Instead, your child is fitted for a fully customized brace. Once the brace has been customized to their unique anatomy, your child wears it 24 hours a day (under clothing) for 6 months to a year. It gently guides the structures back into place without trauma or significant pain. Bracing is often started around ages 10-15 and works well just before a growth spurt.

The incredible outcomes we have delivered are due to our team’s unmatched experience in performing more procedures than other practices and pioneering many of the techniques. We lead the world by performing the most:

• Laparoscopic Nissen fundoplications in infants and children
• Neonatal minimally invasive surgeries
• Thoracoscopic lung resections in infants and children

(Reported by peer-reviewed journals)

The first in the world to provide:

• Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) operating suite for pediatrics
• Thoracoscopic esophageal atresia (EA) with tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) repair
• Thoracoscopic lobectomy

The first in the U.S. to complete:

• Laparoscopic repair of duodenal atresia

The first in the Colorado/Rocky Mountain region to complete:

• Diaphragmatic hernia repair (minimally invasive CDH repair)
• Laparoscopic appendectomy in a child
• Laparoscopic cholecystectomy in a child
• Laparoscopic Nissen
• Laparoscopic pull-through procedure for imperforate anus
• Thoracoscopic patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) closure
• Thoracoscopic vascular ring repair
• Laparoscopic pyloromyotomy
• Laparoscopic splenectomy
• First single-site surgery

We are located on the Penrose Hospital/St. Francis Health Center campus in Colorado Springs, Colorado. We're located near N. Powers Boulevard and E. Woodman Road. Parking is available near our offices.

We are open Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm.

To schedule an appointment please call our offices at (303) 839-6001 during regular business hours. We also offer scheduling through our online appointment scheduler.

If you need to cancel or reschedule an appointment, we ask that you call at least 24 hours in advance. We make every effort to stay on schedule, although we understand emergencies arise.

Rocky Mountain Kids eNewsletter

New patients are asked to arrive 30 minutes early to complete paperwork. You can download, print and complete the forms prior to your appointment. Please bring the completed forms, a list of all medications your child is currently taking, recent copies of X-rays, lab results, photo ID and your insurance card to your appointment.