Pediatric surgeons specialize in the care of infants, children, and adolescents. Following graduation from medical school, a surgeon must complete at least five years of graduate surgical education in a general surgery residency program. Two additional years in a pediatric surgery fellowship complete the required training for a pediatric surgeon.
Certification in General Surgery and Pediatric Surgery is accomplished with both a written examination to ensure surgical knowledge is of the highest level and an oral exam to determine the ability to manage surgical problems. This certification must be renewed every 10 years by written examination.
Our experts work with pediatricians, family practitioners, pediatric anesthesiologists, and other pediatric specialists to ensure the highest standard of care for our patients.
Pediatric General Surgery
Infants, children, and adolescents may require surgery for common conditions identified by their primary care provider. For example, conditions we typically treat include, but are not limited to, inguinal hernias, undescended testicles, gallbladder disease, and thyroid disease.
Minimally Invasive Procedures
Here at Austin Pediatric Surgery, our surgical team is committed to utilizing the most innovative treatments, ensuring our patients receive the highest level of care possible.
At present, there are a variety of conditions that lend themselves to minimally invasive surgical techniques. With this method, instead of making a large incision for “open” surgery, several 3-10 mm incisions are made and a small telescope and instruments are used to complete the surgery.
These procedures have the benefits of improved cosmetic results, earlier return to activities such as school, improved intraoperative visualization, and decreased morbidity and pain.
If you’d like to learn more, feel free to contact us with any and all questions.
Prenatal Consultation
Working with perinatologists, we can help parents of babies with congenital anomalies to better understand their baby’s condition. Our team forms a close relationship with the families so that we can help educate and prepare them for their baby’s hospital course and corrective surgery even prior to the baby’s birth.
Neonatal Surgery
Austin Pediatric Surgery has specialized knowledge and training in the surgical repair of birth defects, some of which are potentially life-threatening without intervention. We provide surgical services for the neonatal intensive care units throughout Austin. In many cases, even in these newborn babies, laparoscopy and thoracoscopy can be utilized to correct their conditions and hasten their recovery.
Pediatric Oncology
Pediatric surgeons are involved in the diagnosis and surgical care of children with malignant tumors as well as those with benign growths. Together the pediatric oncologists and pediatric surgeons have helped improve the treatment and survival of patients with many of these conditions.
Trauma
In conjunction with a multidisciplinary trauma program at the hospital, the surgeons of Austin Pediatric Surgery help coordinate the care of children who have been injured in falls, bicycle, and motor vehicle accidents, burns and penetrating trauma. As pediatric surgeons, we provide 24-hour coverage for acute trauma patients at the Dell Children’s Medical Center.