Neonatal surgery

Many congenital disorders that need to be corrected surgically are diagnosed by our surgeons and their support staff before birth using advanced imaging techniques.

When your newborn's condition requires surgery, the development of the disease is carefully monitored by one of our skilled perinatologists. After diagnosis, one of our pediatric surgeons will meet with you to discuss the best treatment options available for your child. During this time, you'll learn about the problem, how it's repaired and other potential issues your baby may have.

Our teams specialize in caring for babies with CPAM, a condition where a mass grows in a fetus’s lung and takes the place of normal, healthy tissue. Babies diagnosed with CPAM prenatally undergo regular ultrasounds to monitor the CPAM lung and to keep an eye on signs of fetal hydrops, a rare but serious complication of CPAM. Sometimes, the mother will “mirror” the condition and develop preeclampsia.

Minimally invasive surgery for CPAM

We prioritize minimally invasive surgical care for newborns with CPAM. This is our standard method for infants because it helps decrease their risk of complications and leads to a faster recovery period. If your baby doesn't have any initial breathing problems caused by CPAM, surgery can be performed at a later time, but it is usually done before their first birthday. However, if the growth is large enough to interfere with their breathing, surgery must be performed right away. Using a minimally invasive thoracoscopic lobectomy procedure, our pediatric surgeons use tiny incisions and instruments to properly remove the growth. As a result, your child typically has no long-term issues and can lead a normal, active life. Our team continues to lead the way in minimally invasive surgery for young patients, adapting and innovating to offer the most effective and efficient procedures possible.

If your newborn has EA with TEF — linked conditions that develop before birth and affect their esophagus and trachea development — you may notice they have difficulty breathing or trouble swallowing. Additional symptoms might also include coughing or choking while feeding, the presence of frothy bubbles at the mouth or vomiting.

TEF diagnosis and treatment

TEF is a rare condition that causes an abnormal connection between the esophagus and trachea. In order to diagnose it, our neonatal surgeons will first pass a tube from your baby’s mouth to their stomach. Then, they’ll follow up with an X-ray to further examine their anatomy.

Correcting TEF requires thoracoscopic repair, a minimally invasive, image-guided surgical technique we use that offers enhanced visuals of the chest. Our surgeons performed the very first procedure of this kind in the world, meaning we are highly qualified to use it to provide expert surgical care for newborns.

EA with TEF treatment

Your infant can also develop EA with TEF, which our nurturing specialists and support staff carefully diagnose after birth using gentle and thoughtful methods. This joint condition leaves a gap between the esophagus and stomach, preventing food from passing through the body properly. It can force liquid into your child’s lungs, making it more difficult for them to breathe naturally.

We firmly believe that minimizing the separation between you and your newborn is essential throughout this entire process. That’s why soon after you arrive for your planned delivery, you will be transported near the neonatal intensive care unit (ICU) so there are no risky transfers for your baby.

As you recover from your delivery, your infant will be evaluated and stabilized. Then, they will undergo treatment with our highly experienced surgeons, staying in close proximity to you at all times. This integrated approach allows for close coordination among our neonatal care team, including neonatologists, perinatologists and pediatric surgeons. It also limits the stress on you and your baby and enables necessary procedures to be completed during the first few days of their life.