Pediatric Surgery

Pediatric Surgery at Golisano Children's Hospital

The board-certified pediatric surgeons at Golisano Children’s Hospital at University of Vermont Health offer kind and compassionate surgical care personalized for the unique needs of children 15 and younger.

Our team includes pediatric neurosurgeons, pediatric orthopedic surgeons, pediatric surgeons, pediatric urologists and pediatric critical care specialists.

Our pediatric team cares for children referred to us from across Vermont and northern New York.

A pediatric surgeon checks the stomach of a baby.

Why Choose Golisano Children's Hospital?

Collaborative treatment: Our surgeons work together with pediatric specialists, pediatric anesthesiologists and nurses on our pediatrics floor and in our neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). We use our collective expertise to create an individualized care plan to help your child heal.
Advanced pain relief techniques: Our pediatric anesthesiologists use a range of strategies to relieve children’s pain. We place a special focus on protecting children by using non-narcotic medications whenever possible.
Research focus: As part of a health system anchored by an academic medical center, our physicians are active researchers and physician-leaders, many of whom are training the next generation of experts.

Conditions We Treat

At Golisano Children’s Hospital, we use surgery to treat a range of conditions in children of all ages, including:

Appendicitis

Appendicitis occurs when the appendix, a small organ near the colon, becomes blocked and inflamed. Sometimes, the appendix bursts, which can lead to abdominal infection. Removal of the appendix (appendectomy) is one of the most common pediatric surgeries.

Pediatric Cancer

Our pediatric cancer team members work closely with our pediatric surgeons to remove tumors from bones, organs and soft tissue. Our specialists treat your child — and your family — with care, compassion and warmth. We make sure you never walk alone through the experience of childhood cancer.

Hernia

A hernia is a condition that occurs when an organ or tissue pushes through a weak area in a muscle. We repair all types of hernia in children, including those in the:

Belly (abdominal hernia)
Belly button (umbilical hernia)
Diaphragm (hiatal hernia)
Groin (inguinal hernia)

Bowel Obstruction

A bowel obstruction is a complete or partial blockage of the bowels (intestines). This blockage stops the digestive process. A complete bowel obstruction is a medical emergency that requires immediate surgery. Our surgeons work closely with experts in pediatric gastroenterology to remove the blockage.

Breastbone Differences and Sunken Chest

Differences in the formation of the breastbone can cause changes to the chest’s structure. These include:

Pectus carinatum: The breastbone sticks out too far (protrudes)
Pectus excavatum: The breastbone grows inward (sunken chest)

We treat breastbone differences in adolescents and young adults. Our surgeons provide bracing for pectus carinatum to help align the breastbone and perform the minimally invasive Nuss Procedure and the open Ravitch procedure for pectus excavatum.

Congenital Conditions

Some babies are born with conditions that require surgical repair. These include:

Anorectal malformations: A missing or blocked anus. This condition causes changes in how a child passes stool.
Bowel obstructions: Blockages in the intestine
Congenital lung disorders: Differences in how the lungs form

Our surgeons collaborate with high-risk pregnancy specialists to create a treatment plan when we identify congenital conditions during pregnancy. We also work closely with our NICU team to create a surgical treatment plan that is right for your baby

Traumatic Injuries

Our surgeons treat all traumatic injuries, including sports-related injuries and injuries that result from accidents and falls. These injuries may include:

Golisano Children's Hospital

Child Life Program

Medical care can be overwhelming for children. Our Child Life Specialists help your child cope with stress, prepare for procedures and understand their care. These highly trained specialists offer your family support as you navigate our health system.

A child life specialist plays with a small child.

Learn more

Outpatient Surgical Procedures

The pediatric surgeons at Golisano Children’s Hospital treat some childhood conditions with outpatient surgery. In outpatient surgery, your child can typically go home the same day. We perform:

Circumcision: Removal of the foreskin of the penis
Cyst removal: Surgery to remove fluid-filled sacs that cause lumps in the skin
Surgery for undescended testicles: Surgical procedure to move the testicles down into the scrotum

What to Expect

During your first appointment, your surgeon will talk with you and your child about their symptoms and perform a physical examination. They’ll discuss your options for surgery and answer your questions.

Before Pediatric Surgery

Your surgeon will provide instructions on how to prepare your child for surgery. They may ask you to stop giving your child certain medications they take regularly. Your surgeon will also tell you when your child should stop eating and drinking before surgery.

We understand that surgery can be stressful for children in ways that require specialized support. Our Child Life specialists are experts in helping children understand medical treatments and manage their feelings. They use age-appropriate distraction and play-based techniques to help kids cope.

During Pediatric Surgery

Your surgeon will use the surgical approach that offers the best health outcome for your child. When possible, we use minimally invasive techniques that use smaller incisions and may help your child recover faster. Our pediatric anesthesiologists will help manage your child’s discomfort. They may also give medications during surgery to reduce pain when your child wakes up after the procedure.

After Pediatric Surgery

After surgery, your child will go to a recovery area for monitoring by a post-op nurse. We check their vital signs, breathing and pain levels. If your child had outpatient surgery, the nurse will tell you when you can take your child home. If your child is staying overnight, they will move to a room in the hospital.

Your care team makes sure you understand instructions for caring for your child’s incision at home. They will also tell you about any medications your child may need. Follow your surgeon’s instructions about when your child can return to school and other activities.

Awards & Certifications

American College of Surgeons Designation

The American College of Surgeons has designated Golisano Children’s Hospital a Level II Pediatric Trauma Center. This verification ensures our hospital meets rigorous national standards in providing trauma care to children.