Pediatric Surgery Procedure Explanation

Abdominal Wall Defect
Gastroschisis is an abdominal wall defect (opening) at the base of the umbilical cord that allows intestine (bowel) and other abdominal contents to come outside the body before birth. Omphalocele is an abdominal wall defect (opening) of the umbilical ring (belly button) that allows intestines and other abdominal contents to grow outside the body into a translucent (see through) sac before birth.

Appendectomy
Children with appendicitis usually first complain of pain around their umbilicus (belly button) and do not want to eat. The pain gradually moves to the right lower part of the abdomen. There may be nausea, vomiting and a small amount of diarrhea. Some children have a fever but not always.

Biliary Atresia
Biliary atresia is a condition in which the ducts that connect the liver to the intestine and the gall bladder become scarred and blocked.

Brachial Cleft Cyst
A branchial cleft cyst is a common cyst that appears below the ear or along the side of the neck during early childhood. It is a leftover tube that usually goes away during development inside the womb. This type of cyst formed on its own before your baby was born and there is nothing you could have done to prevent it from happening.

Central Line
A central line is a sterile tube placed in a large vein that goes to the heart. The IV medication, fluid and nutrition that your child needs will be given through your child’s central line.

Cholecystectomy
Cholecystectomy is the surgical procedure to remove the gallbladder.

Circumcision
Circumcision is the surgical removal of the foreskin ( the skin covering the head of the penis). Typically the circumcision is performed soon after birth.

Cystic Hygroma
A cystic hygroma is a benign, painless cyst of early childhood. It is seen most commonly on the neck and under the arm, but can be located anywhere on the body. Cystic hygromas may get bigger as the child gets older. Another name for it is lymphangioma.

Dermoid Cyst
A dermoid cyst is a common, benign, painless cyst of childhood. It most commonly appears just under the skin near the eyebrow, but can also occur on the forehead, scalp, nose or jaw.

Duodenal Atresia
Duodenal atresia (DA) is a birth defect. It is a blockage which affects the first part of the small intestine. An infant with duodenal atresia is born without a connection between the first and second parts of the intestines (duodenum and jejunum).

Endorectal Pull-Through for Hirschsprung’s Disease
Hirschsprung’s Disease is a condition where children are missing the nerve cells (“ganglion cells”) within the wall of their colon or rectum. These cells are responsible for the normal wave-like motion of the bowel (peristalsis), and at the point where these cells are missing - the stool stops and a blockage (obstruction) occurs.

Esophageal Atresia & Tracheoesophageal Fistula
Two development problems that make it impossible for a baby to eat or drink.

Ganglion Cyst
A ganglion cyst is a common, benign cyst of childhood. It most commonly appears on the wrist and rarely on the foot.

Gastroesophageal Reflux (GER)
Gastroesophageal reflux (GER) is the spilling of acidic stomach contents into the esophagus (the swallowing tube). The exact cause is not known.

Gastrostomy
A gastrostomy is the creation of a new opening into the stomach.

Hirschsprung's Disease
Hirschsprung’s Disease is a condition where children are missing the nerve cells (“ganglion cells”) within the wall of their colon or rectum.

Hydrocolectomy
A hydrocole is a collection of fluid in the sac within the scrotum. It is caused by an opening between the abdomen and the scrotum.

Inguinal Hernia Repair
In infants, an inguinal hernia is most often caused by a protrusion of a loop or portion of intestine or a fold of membrane from the abdomen.

Intussusception
Intussusception is a condition where a section of bowel telescopes into a section of bowel right next to it causing an obstruction or blockage of the bowel.

Lymphadenopathy
Lymphadenopathy means enlargement of a lymph node. Infection is the most common reason for a lymph node to be enlarged. This is a normal reaction because lymph nodes are part of our immune system which fights infection.

Malrotation & Volvulus
Malrotation is a condition that occurs when a baby is developing inside the mother. Before birth, the baby’s intestines are supposed to grow and then stick in a certain position so they cannot twist around inside the baby’s belly. With malrotation, the intestines do not stick in the right spot and get twisted. Volvulus is a kinking of the twisted intestines which cuts off their blood supply.

Pectus Excavatum/The "Nuss Procedure"
Pectus excavatum is an abnormal growth of bone and cartilage of the chest wall resulting in a sunken appearance of the chest.

Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC)
NEC is an inflammation of the bowel that makes blisters in the bowel wall.

Orchidopexy
When the testicle is not in normal position by six months to one year of age, it should be surgically fixed.

Pilonidal cyst
A pilonidal cyst is a painful and infected cyst created from body hair being forced into the skin by friction.

PSARP
An anorectal malformation is a birth defect that affects the development of the anus, the urinary system and/or the sexual structures. This malformation can also be associated with defects of the spine, esophagus, trachea, kidneys, heart or limbs.

Pyloric Stenosis
Pyloric stenosis is present when the muscle connecting the stomach to the intestine grows too large and thick. This muscle is called the pyloric muscle.

Solid Tumors
Neuroblastoma is a cancer of the sympathetic nervous system. There are approximately 650 new cases each year in the United States.

Splenectomy
A splenectomy is the removal of the spleen from the upper left abdomen.

Thoracotomy
A thoracotomy is a surgical incision into the chest. It is done when the surgeon needs to operate on the lung or remove a mass near the lung.

Thyroglossal duct cyst
Your child has a thyroglossal duct cyst, a common cyst that appears in the middle of the neck during early childhood.

Umbilical Hernia
An umbilical hernia occurs when bowel protrudes through an opening in the abdominal wall into the umbilicus (belly button).