From the Guidelines
Pediatric surgeons perform a wide range of surgical procedures specifically tailored for infants, children, and adolescents, including neonatal surgeries, abdominal procedures, thoracic surgeries, oncologic surgeries, and trauma-related operations, as well as minimally invasive procedures and specialized surgeries for conditions like congenital heart disease and craniosynostosis. These procedures are highly specialized and require a deep understanding of pediatric anatomy, physiology, and development, as highlighted in the American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines 1. The scope of pediatric surgery encompasses various subspecialties, including congenital heart surgery, pediatric plastic surgery, and pediatric general surgery, each with its own set of specialized procedures and training requirements.
Some of the key procedures performed by pediatric surgeons include:
- Neonatal surgeries for congenital anomalies like intestinal atresia, diaphragmatic hernia, and esophageal atresia
- Abdominal procedures such as appendectomies, hernia repairs, and cholecystectomies
- Thoracic surgeries including lung resections and chest wall deformity corrections
- Oncologic surgeries to remove tumors like neuroblastoma and Wilms tumor
- Trauma-related operations
- Minimally invasive procedures using laparoscopic and thoracoscopic techniques
- Specialized surgeries for conditions like pectus excavatum, pyloric stenosis, and intussusception
Pediatric surgeons work closely with other specialists, such as pediatric anesthesiologists, nurses, and pediatric medical specialists, to provide comprehensive care tailored to the unique needs of children, as emphasized in the guidelines 1. The American Board of Surgery and the American Board of Thoracic Surgery offer subspecialty certificates in pediatric surgery and congenital heart surgery, respectively, which recognize the specialized training and expertise required to care for children with complex surgical conditions 1.
From the Research
Types of Surgeries Performed by Pediatric Surgeons
- Appendectomy: a surgical procedure to remove the appendix, often performed in cases of appendicitis 2, 3, 4
- Central venous catheterization: a procedure to insert a catheter into a large vein in the neck or chest to deliver medication or nutrients 2
- Pyloromyotomy: a surgical procedure to treat pyloric stenosis, a condition where the muscle at the end of the stomach thickens and blocks food from entering the small intestine 2
- Gastrostomy: a surgical procedure to create an opening in the stomach for feeding or drainage 2
- Inguinal/umbilical hernia repair: a surgical procedure to repair a hernia in the groin or navel area 2, 5
Other Surgical Procedures
- Laparoscopic appendectomy: a minimally invasive surgical procedure to remove the appendix using a laparoscope 3, 4
- Robotic surgery: a type of minimally invasive surgery that uses a robotic system to assist the surgeon, which may be used for various procedures including appendectomy and hernia repair 6