Have you ever wondered what types of surgeries pediatric surgeons typically perform? Not all surgeries are scary; in fact, many procedures help children grow healthier and more comfortably. Let's learn more about the types of surgeries pediatric surgeons typically perform so that as parents, we can be more prepared and calm when facing these situations.
Why Does Pediatric Surgery Require Specialized Skills?
Pediatric surgery is a branch of medicine that deals with surgery on neonates (infants under 1 month old), toddlers, children, and young adolescents. Disorders requiring surgery can be caused by congenital abnormalities, infections, neoplasms (lumps/tumors), and trauma. Pediatric surgery has a different approach than adult surgery because children's bodies are still growing and developing.
Furthermore, children have different physiological responses to anesthesia and surgery. Therefore, pediatric surgeons must possess specialized skills to care for these young patients with care and caution. Here are some common types of surgery performed on children.
Types of Operations on Children that are Often Performed
1. Hernia Surgery
One of the most common operations performed on children is hernia surgery , which is a condition where an abnormal opening occurs in a body part that should be tightly closed. Types of hernias that can occur in children include:
- Inguinal hernia
This occurs when part of the intestine or an internal organ protrudes through a gap in the abdominal wall, usually in the groin area. This condition is more common in premature babies and requires surgery to prevent serious complications, such as intestinal obstruction. - Umbilical hernia
A condition where the navel fails to close, allowing abdominal organs to protrude through a hole in the navel area. While this hole can sometimes close on its own, it often causes intestinal obstruction due to the umbilical cord being compressed, requiring immediate surgery. - Diaphragmatic hernia
This is a congenital abnormality where there is a hole in the diaphragm that separates the chest and abdominal cavities. This surgery is usually performed immediately after birth, once the patient's condition has been stabilized.
2. Operations Caused by Infection
These include appendectomy in cases of inflammation or leakage of the appendix, necrotizing enterocolitis (inflammation of the intestine accompanied by death of intestinal tissue) in infants, severe typhoid infections that cause leakage of the small intestine, and colon infections caused by various bacteria or autoimmune diseases.
3. Congenital Anomaly Surgery
namely, surgical procedures performed to correct congenital defects. Examples are:
- Intestinal atresia is a condition in which the food pipe is either completely or incompletely connected. Atresia can be found in the esophagus (the tube between the mouth and stomach), duodenum, small intestine, large intestine, and even the anus.
- Hirschsprung's disease is a nerve disorder in the large intestine (in severe cases, it can extend to the small intestine). Surgery can be performed in stages or as a single procedure.
- A cord-like adhesion or tissue on the lips or tongue that causes difficulty speaking or swallowing.
- Congenital abnormalities of the fingers such as polydactyly (more than normal number of fingers), syndactyly (several fingers attached together), web finger (there is additional tissue between several fingers)
4. Hypospadias Surgery
In pediatric urology, hypospadias surgery is a frequently performed procedure. Hypospadias is a condition in which the urethral opening in boys is not at the tip of the penis, but on the underside.
Surgery is performed to correct the position of the urethra so the child can urinate normally, reduce the risk of future infertility, and for cosmetic reasons. Besides hypospadias, there is also surgery for cryptorchidism, or undescended testicles, which aims to move the testicles into the scrotum to ensure normal reproductive development in the child.
5. Removal of Benign and Malignant Tumor Masses
In the field of neoplasms, surgery is performed to remove benign and malignant tumors. Childhood cancers such as neuroblastoma, Wilms' tumor (kidney cancer in children), lymph node tumors, and leukemia often require a combination of surgery and other therapies such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
Although cancer in children is less common than in adults, early detection is crucial to increase the chances of recovery.
With advances in technology and the expertise of pediatric surgeons, many of these surgeries have high success rates and help children lead healthier lives. The surgery can be performed openly (using a wide incision) or with minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery. For parents, understanding the type of surgery, the timing, the risks, and the complications is crucial for making informed medical decisions and providing the best possible support for their child undergoing surgery.
Article written by Dr. Dina Perdanasari, Sp.BA (Pediatric Surgery Specialist at EMC Pekayon & Pulomas Hospital).