Pediatric Surgical Care of Infants, Children and Adolescents

Pediatric surgical care of infants, children and adolescents requires a unique skillset and compassionate providers. Weill Cornell Medicine is home to expert pediatric surgeons who go out of their way to educate and comfort young patients, their families and support systems.

Why Choose Weill Cornell Medicine

At Weill Cornell Medicine, you have access to some of the nation’s leading pediatric surgeons. Every day, they aim to provide advanced surgical care with a personal touch.

Working alongside our surgeons is a team of nurses and other providers who are committed to caring for children. Child life advocates streamline care and help you navigate obstacles that may arise before and after surgery. Social workers connect you to community resources. Others are ready to talk and answer questions, providing education to ensure you and your child understand what to expect the day of surgery and beyond. 

Every member of the care team partners with your family, guiding your child toward health and wholeness.

Conditions We Treat

In most cases, Weill Cornell Medicine providers start with the conservative treatment. If medication and lifestyle changes do not bring healing, surgeons can lend a hand.

When appropriate, a surgeon may remove tissue, bone or even an entire organ. Sometimes, surgeons drain fluid buildup in an infected area to provide relief. As often as possible, they use minimally invasive approaches that reduce pain and scarring.

The list of conditions that benefit from pediatric surgical care is expansive. Some develop over time, while others are present at birth. Here are some conditions treated by pediatric surgeons at Weill Cornell Medicine. 

Head and Neck Conditions

Various head and neck conditions require surgical intervention, including:

• Cysts or tumors
• Enlarged lymph glands
• Infection that causes swelling

Breast, Chest and Thoracic Conditions

Conditions affecting the breast or chest that can be addressed surgically include:

• Concave or convex breastbone
• Cysts or tumors
• Infection
• Pneumothorax (collapsed lung)
• Severe gynecomastia (swollen breasts experienced by boys)

Abdominal and Abdominal Wall Conditions

Surgical correction is common for several issues affecting the abdominal area. A few conditions surgery can treat include:

• Appendicitis (inflammation of the appendix)
• Gallstones
• Hernia
• Sickle cell disease
• Thalassemia
• Undescended testicle

Colorectal Conditions

Colorectal conditions affect the colon, rectum or both. Pediatric surgeons correct many colorectal conditions, including:

• Blockage in the intestine
• Crohn's disease
• Infection in or around the anus
• Meckel's diverticulum (pouch in the small intestine)
• Ulcerative colitis

What to Expect

Before your child’s surgery, the surgical team will discuss the purpose and expected outcome of the procedure. It’s important to ask any questions you have. This helps you understand what will take place and how to prepare your child for surgery.

In general, your child’s experience will include the following:

• Preparation. Your child will likely need to stop eating and drinking a few hours before surgery. Discuss this with your surgeon and follow orders exactly.
• Operation. Immediately before the procedure, your child will receive care from a pediatric anesthesiologist. General anesthesia causes your child to remain unconscious throughout surgery. This prevents your child from experiencing pain during the procedure.
• Recovery. Following surgery, the care team takes your child to a recovery room. As soon as possible, your child resumes eating, drinking and walking.
• Discharge. Once your child recovers enough to go home, your team discharges your child. At home, you should continue following the surgeon’s directions, which may include wound care, physical therapy and follow-up appointments.

Make an Appointment

To request an appointment with a pediatric surgeon, please fill out this form. A member of our team will then connect you with a surgeon.

At Weill Cornell Medicine, our team of pediatric surgery experts provides advanced, compassionate care to infants, children and adolescents every day.

Pediatric surgeons ready to serve your family include: