Pediatric Surgery
Overview of Pediatric Surgery
Pediatric surgery is a speciality that deals with all surgical requirements in children
from birth to teenage years. Our surgeons are trained to address the special
anatomic and physiologic needs of growing bodies, ensuring safety and efficiency in
treatments across a wide range of conditions.
What Does a Pediatric Surgeon Do?
A Pediatric surgeon:
Conducts surgical operations on children attuned to their needs.
-Provide pre-and post-operative care to patients
-Collaborate with other Pediatric specialities for complete treatment.
-If possible, offer the least invasive surgical procedures
-Discharge education to families regarding surgery and post-surgical recovery.
Surgical Conditions Treated by Pediatric Surgeons
Many years of experience enable our qualified professionals to treat a long array of
surgical conditions, including but not limited to the following:
1. Congenital Anomalies
⦁ Cleft lip and palate
⦁ Gastrointestinal malformations
⦁ Chest wall deformities
2. Pediatric Cancers
Solid tumours
Lymphomas
3. Gastrointestinal Disorders
- Appendicitis
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Hernias
4. Thoracic Conditions
- Lung malformations
- Chest wall abnormalities
5. Urological Issues
- Kidney and bladder disorders
- Genital abnormalities
What Tests and Diagnoses Do Pediatric Surgeons Advice/Conduct?
Our pediatric surgeons advise/conduct a wide array of diagnostic measures that
would help in the evaluation of a child's condition and in deciding suitable surgical
treatments. These are as follows:
1. Imaging Studies
- Ultrasound
- CT scans
- MRI scans
- X-rays
2. Endoscopic Procedures
- Bronchoscopy
- Colonoscopy
- Upper endoscopy
3. Biopsy
Tissue sampling for further investigation; usually in cancer diagnosis.
4. Specialized Cardiac Tests (for cardiothoracic cases)
- Echocardiogram
- Electrocardiogram (ECG)
- Cardiac catheterization
5. Laboratory Tests
Blood and urine analysis to assess general health and the condition of the organs.
6. Genetic Testing
For identifying inherited conditions or predispositions to diseases of a specific nature.
When to Consult a Pediatric Surgeon
A timely consultation with our pediatric surgery team is one of the important factors
for your child's health. Consider making an appointment if these are applicable
scenarios:
1. Your child's pediatrician recommends a surgical evaluation. The professional
recommendation from his/her assessment should never be shrugged off lightly.
2. If your child is diagnosed with any type of condition that requires surgical
treatment, an early consultation will help in proper planning and preparation.
3. There might be concerns about congenital anomalies or developmental problems,
and these may need surgical correction for proper growth and function.
4. The child has had recurring stomachaches, breathing problems, or other chronic
symptoms and those symptoms have not been treated using non-surgical
treatments. Such symptoms may indicate an underlying condition wherein surgical
intervention may be valuable.
5. Presence of unusual lumps or growths or physical abnormalities seen in your
child.
6. The child has been severely injured and surgical repair may be necessary.
Early consultation with a pediatric surgeon potentially allows timely intervention in
many cases. This will provide an opportunity for complete evaluation, discussion of
treatment options, and the best possible planning of care—all this can result in
improved outcomes with less recovery time and fewer complications from the
condition at hand. Keep in mind that consulting a surgeon does not always mean
surgery will be done, but you have the expert input for your child's condition.
5 FAQs
1. How is pediatric surgery different from adult surgery?
Surgical needs in children differ greatly from those of adults, and pediatric surgery is
specially tailored for growing bodies. Our surgeons are specially trained in
techniques to minimize impact on developing tissues and organs. Added to this is
the use of child-specific equipment, taken care of in the most child-friendly
environments possible to decrease anxiety.
2. What are the types of anesthesia that can be administered for pediatric surgery?
The kind of procedure, child's age, and any prevailing health conditions will decide
between general, regional, and local anesthesia. pediatric anesthesiologists are
most safely trained to provide anesthesia to infants, toddlers, and children of any
other age.
3. How to prepare a child for surgery?
Preparation depends on age but generally includes the following:
• Explanation of the procedure in the patient's own words• Touring the surgical facility, if possible
Bringing comfort items to the hospital: favourite toy, blanket
Following pre-operative instructions carefully, including fasting guidelines
Child life specialists can provide additional resources and support to help prepare
your child emotionally for surgery.
4. What is recovery like after pediatric surgery?
Recovery varies with the procedure and with each child. specific postoperative care
instructions in treatment plans and frequently call to check in on child's progress.
Physicians emphase on pain management, early mobilization, and return to normal
activities as soon as recovery allows.
5. What are the minimally invasive surgical options available for kids?
This could be by laparoscopy or by robotically assisted surgeries, therefore having
smaller incisions, less pain, and less recovery time. Discuss with our surgeons the
best options for a particular child's case.