Pediatric surgery

Many of the procedures performed by our experienced surgeons can be done using minimally invasive surgery. In addition to designing tools that are used by fellow pediatric surgeons around the world, we have also adapted procedures previously only performed on adults to be safe and effective for children.

Most children see great benefits from minimally invasive surgery, including:

• Fewer scars
• Less pain
• Reduced risk of complications
• Quicker recovery

Your child needs specialized training, experience and equipment to get the best possible care, and at any of our facilities, you’ll see the difference that kind of advanced pediatric surgical care can make.

Although most think of adults when they hear about gallbladder removal, gallbladder disease is actually becoming increasingly more common in children. The most frequent form of gallbladder disease occurs when hard, pebble-like bile stones block a duct of the gallbladder, keeping bile from flowing from the liver to the intestines.

Your child may develop gallbladder disease if they have a family history of gallstones or any of the following conditions.

• Crohn's disease
• Hemolytic disease
• Obesity
• Sickle cell disease

Our teams perform a laparoscopic cholecystectomy to remove gallbladders in children — and they were the first in the region to do so.

Our pediatric surgeons provide comprehensive treatment for many types of gastrointestinal problems and issues affecting the pelvic area, including:

Occurring when parts of tissue bulge through a weak area in the abdomen — usually in the groin or belly button areas — hernias are common in children and can have multiple symptoms, including:

• Belly bloat
• Belly pain
• Fever
• Visible lump
• Vomiting

Reflux — also known as heartburn or acid indigestion — is a chronic disease where stomach acid or bile flows back up into the esophagus and irritates the lining of the food pipe. It can cause apparent symptoms, including:

• Bad breath
• Burning in the chest after eating
• Difficulty swallowing

Most babies experience some form of acid reflux. It is one of the most common reasons that babies spit up or vomit, but they will outgrow this issue around one year of age. Before that time, symptoms can often be managed through medication and lifestyle adjustments. Older children and teens who have heartburn that lasts up to two hours at a time and worsens after meals may have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a more advanced case of reflux.

GERD can interfere with good nutrition because eating becomes painful or difficult. In addition, more severe cases can cause breathing problems and other issues in the esophagus, such as bleeding and a build-up of scar tissue.

Hernia treatment in children

Some types of hernias resolve on their own, while others require surgical intervention. Our surgeons are experienced in treating several types of hernias, including:

• Epigastric hernia — More prevalent in boys than girls, this is when the area between the belly button and the chest bone doesn't close properly and must be treated surgically.
• Inguinal hernia — An inguinal hernia is caused when the sac holding a fetus’s intestines in place doesn't fully seal itself before birth. This requires surgery to ensure tissue doesn’t become stuck in the inguinal canal and cause reduced blood supply and damage to the intestines.
• Umbilical hernia — Occurring when some of the intestines bulge through the abdominal wall inside the belly button, this type of hernia causes a painless lump under the belly button that often resolves by age four.

Reflux treatment options for children

Many times, reflux can be controlled by diet changes or other lifestyle adjustments. However, if the acid reflux is severe — causing inflammation, a narrowing of the esophagus or Barrett’s esophagus — corrective surgery may be necessary. This surgery, called a fundoplication, reinforces the valve at the bottom of the esophagus to prevent stomach acids from entering it. Fundoplication surgery may be performed safely on infants and children alike.

Our teams were the first in the region to perform Nissen fundoplication — a minimally invasive procedure that prevents acid from backing up in the esophagus. We have the largest series of laparoscopic Nissen fundoplications in infants and children in the world, which allows us to provide the innovative care your child may need.

To make you and your child feel more comfortable about what's to come, we typically welcome your immediate family to our office prior to the day of surgery. We may also provide you with a series of videos to help reduce their anxiety.

Each of our facilities is designed with kids in mind. Our teams helped plan out many components of these facilities to help ensure every detail serves a purpose, creating a pleasant, family-friendly environment.

Before you leave home

So that you feel as prepared as possible, here are some reminders of things to do before you head out your door, including:

This is also a good time to go over the anticipated steps with your child in an upbeat, optimistic way.

When you arrive

The admitting area is located near the front entrance. Usually, you can speed up the registration process by planning ahead. If this was not done at the time of scheduling surgery, you may preregister by calling the hospital or surgical center. If you don't preregister, you'll need to have both personal and insurance information ready to give to the admitting staff upon your arrival.

At the time your child is admitted, you'll be asked to sign a general consent form that allows us to care for your child and to relay information to their physician and insurance company. You will also be asked to sign an additional, separate consent form for your child's surgery, which your physician can explain to you when you discuss your child's surgical procedure.

You and your child will receive an identification bracelet at the time of admission.