Pediatric General Surgery

Life can be unpredictable, and sometimes this means that the youngest members of our families need special medical attention. For children who require surgery, from minor outpatient procedures to more complex, life-saving operations, our pediatric surgery team is here to provide experienced and compassionate care.

Our pediatric general surgeons work closely with a multidisciplinary team of doctors and allied health professionals to address the unique needs of children. With access to a dedicated pediatric emergency room, same-day surgery center and inpatient rooms, children can receive care in a setting designed for their comfort and well-being.

Our experienced surgeons treat various conditions, including congenital, infectious, traumatic and other specialized concerns. General surgery for children can involve the abdominal organs, such as the stomach, intestines, liver, pancreas and gallbladder, skin, breast, soft tissue and hernias. Referrals often come from a child’s primary care doctor to help ensure a coordinated approach to treatment.

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Preparing Your Child for Surgery

Children can become very anxious and fearful about spending the night at the hospital. As a parent, there are several ways you can help ease your child into the idea of an overnight stay. By the time they arrive, they will feel secure and safe at the hospital.

If you prepare children ahead of time, it may improve their behavior during their stay and after they go home. One of the best things you can do for your child is to communicate with them appropriately for their age level. Ensure the child doesn’t need to be concerned about the hospital stay. Allow them to ask any questions and clear up any misconceptions.

Common fears children may have about being in the hospital can include being away from family and friends, having a part of their body injured, or experiencing pain. You can help your children deal with these fears with these ideas:

• Arrange for a tour of the hospital before admission.
• Talk about what will happen to them in general, in understandable terms, so they know what to expect.
• Emphasize that the child has not done anything wrong and is not being punished.
• Explain the benefits of going to the hospital, such as, “After surgery for your broken leg you will be able to do gymnastics again.”
• Encourage the child to ask questions to their doctors and nurses.
• Be understanding if the child starts to express fears about going to the hospital or displays regressive behavior, such as potty training or being afraid of the dark.

You could also role-play with a doll or teddy bear by taking the toy’s temperature or listening to its heartbeat. Parents may not fully realize their children’s fear about the surgery. Be sure to explain to children that they will not feel pain during the operation, will wake up from anesthesia, and will have their parents waiting for them when they wake up.

Before Your Child’s Surgery

• Read any information your doctors or nurses may give you and follow their instructions carefully.
• Plan to take the day of your child’s surgery off from work. Your child needs you, and you’re required to be at the hospital during surgery so our staff can reach you at all times.
• Arrange for someone to care for other children in the home the day of the surgery. You’ll need to accompany your child to parts of the hospital where other children aren’t permitted.
• Find out the best route between your home and the location your child is having their surgery at and save the directions in your navigation system if you have one. (You may want to drive the route ahead of time.)
• Make sure your child does NOT eat or drink anything after midnight on the evening before surgery.

A nurse will call before your child’s surgery to take a medical history, provide instructions and answer any questions you may have. Many parents wonder about anesthesia and the effects it may have on their children. After a thorough examination, our pediatric anesthesiologists will discuss with you which type of anesthesia may be best suited for your child.

The Day of Your Child’s Surgery

• Plan to arrive at the scheduled time.
• Bring a few books, toys and portable games to occupy your child during waiting periods.

After surgery, your doctor will come to speak with you. While you may be told ahead of time how long the surgery is likely to take, please remember that this is only an estimate. Allow 30 to 40 minutes for your child to recover from the anesthesia and be transferred to the recovery room.

You’ll be able to see your child once he or she is awake. The time may vary, as each child is different, but please be assured that a nurse will come to you at the appropriate time.

Remember that although most patients experience some discomfort after surgery, we’ll do all we can to ease your child’s pain with appropriate medication and a caring approach.

After Your Child’s Surgery

• Follow the specific instructions you receive regarding when your child may return to school and what activities to avoid.
• Read and follow all written discharge instructions and schedule a follow-up appointment after you go home.

Pediatric General Surgery in South Florida

At Palm Beach Health Network, our pediatric general surgeons are committed to providing quality surgical care to your little ones. We treat a wide range of pediatric diseases and conditions, including congenital, infections and traumatic conditions. Our surgical services also include treating lesions in the neck, thorax and chest wall, abdomen and pelvis.

Some of the conditions for pediatric and thoracic general surgery include a broad spectrum of care:

General pediatric surgeons treat diseases and conditions of the thorax down to the abdomen, including the stomach, colon, liver, pancreas, thyroid and gallbladder, among other areas. Our pediatric general surgeons are dedicated to providing advanced treatment options for your child.

Pediatric Anesthesia

When children need surgery or some other complicated treatment, they may need to go under anesthesia during the procedure. However, children have different requirements when it comes to sedative medications. Their bodies are more sensitive to the effects of anesthesia and they can get overwhelmed when they face a medical procedure. The Pediatric Sedation Program at Palm Beach Health Network is designed to provide our pediatric patients with the individual, specialized care and medications needed to alleviate both physical pain and emotional anxieties.

At the same time, it is important that your child is relaxed, comfortable and stays very still during the procedure to obtain the best possible images or result. Sedation medication can make this possible. Your child will feel relaxed and drowsy, and she won’t feel any pain during the procedure or remember it afterwards.

Our Pediatric Anesthesiologists treat children from the newborn period through the teenage years, and beyond in patients with chronic pediatric conditions. They choose to make pediatric care the core of their medical practice, and the unique nature of medical and surgical care of children is learned from advanced training and experience in practice.

The Palm Beach Children’s Hospital is proud to be verified as a Level II Children’s Surgery Center by the American College of Surgeons (ACS) Children’s Surgery Verification (CSV) Quality Improvement Program, an established verification and quality improvement program designed to optimize the delivery of children’s surgical care.

Find a Pediatric General Surgeon in South Florida

Our team of pediatric general surgeons provides compassionate care for children with a variety of surgical needs, from minor procedures to more complex conditions. We are committed to supporting your child and family every step of the way, offering safe and specialized care to help your little one heal and thrive.

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General pediatric surgeons treat diseases and conditions of the thorax down to the abdomen, including the stomach, colon, liver, pancreas, thyroid and gallbladder, among other areas. Our pediatric general surgeons are dedicated to providing advanced treatment options for your child.