Pediatric Surgery
Pediatric Surgery is available at 5 hospitals across 2 cities in the Voumed network.
5 hospitals provide care in this specialty across 2 countries through the Voumed network; 1 of them holds JCI accreditation.
Paediatric surgery is the specialty of surgery for children, from newborn babies to teenagers. It treats common childhood conditions such as hernias, undescended testes, hypospadias and appendicitis, and it corrects birth defects of the digestive tract, the abdominal wall and the diaphragm, including oesophageal atresia, Hirschsprung disease and congenital diaphragmatic hernia. Children are not small adults: their anatomy, body chemistry, medicine doses and emotional needs differ, so operations are done by surgeons trained for this age group, working with anaesthetists, nurses and play specialists who care for children every day. Families travel for it to reach a team experienced with a rare or complex condition, to get a second opinion before a major operation, or to have a planned procedure done within a short, organised stay.
Key takeaways
- Paediatric surgery treats children from birth to adolescence, covering everyday conditions such as hernia and undescended testis as well as rare birth defects that need surgery in the first days of life.
- Many common operations are day-case or need one night, and keyhole techniques adapted to small bodies are used where they suit the condition and the size of the child.
- Anaesthesia for children is given by anaesthetists trained in paediatric care, with doses, monitoring and equipment adjusted to the age and weight of the child.
- A parent can usually stay with the child until anaesthesia begins and again in recovery, and family-centred care is a normal part of how paediatric teams work.
- The timing of planned surgery often follows age guidelines, so families travelling for an operation should plan around the recommended age window and the checks needed after surgery.
On this page
At a glance
- Common procedures
- inguinal hernia repair, orchidopexy for undescended testis, hypospadias repair, appendicectomy, pyloromyotomy, surgery for oesophageal atresia, Hirschsprung disease and diaphragmatic hernia
- Common reasons to travel
- experience with rare or complex birth defects, a second opinion before major surgery, planned procedures within a short stay
- Typical hospital stay
- day-case or one night for hernia and testis surgery, a few days for hypospadias or appendicectomy, weeks in neonatal care after major newborn surgery
- Anaesthesia
- general anaesthesia given by paediatric anaesthetists, often combined with a regional block for pain relief after surgery
- Typical first step
- a remote review of your child's records and scans, followed by a clinic consultation with the family
Overview
Paediatric surgeons operate on the abdomen, chest, groin, genitals and soft tissues of children, and they often coordinate care with paediatric urology, plastic, orthopaedic and heart teams. Training in children matters because a newborn's body handles fluids, heat, blood loss and medicines differently from an adult's, and because some conditions exist only in childhood or arise from the way organs formed before birth. Many conditions are found on a pregnancy scan, so the surgical team may meet parents before the birth to plan the delivery and the first operation. Others appear later, such as a groin swelling, a testis that is not in the scrotum or sudden abdominal pain. The team includes paediatric anaesthetists, specialist nurses and often play specialists who help children understand what will happen. The goal is not only a successful operation but normal growth and development afterwards.
Conditions and sub-specialties
General paediatric surgery covers inguinal and umbilical hernias, undescended testes, appendicitis, pyloric stenosis, a thickened stomach outlet that causes forceful vomiting in young babies, and intussusception, in which one part of the bowel slides into the next. Paediatric urology treats hypospadias, in which the opening of the urethra sits on the underside of the penis, as well as blockages of kidney drainage and backflow of urine towards the kidneys. Neonatal surgery corrects birth defects in the first days or weeks of life: oesophageal atresia, in which the food pipe does not connect to the stomach, congenital diaphragmatic hernia, in which abdominal organs move up into the chest, abdominal wall defects, intestinal blockages, anorectal malformations and Hirschsprung disease, in which part of the bowel lacks the nerve cells needed to move stool along. Paediatric surgical oncology removes childhood tumours such as neuroblastoma and Wilms tumour, together with the oncology team.
Common treatments and procedures
Inguinal hernia repair closes the opening in the groin through a small cut or by keyhole surgery, usually as a day-case. Orchidopexy brings an undescended testis down into the scrotum, usually between about 6 and 18 months of age, to help protect fertility and to allow the testis to be checked later in life. Hypospadias repair rebuilds the urethra and straightens the penis, often in the first or second year of life and sometimes in more than one stage. Appendicectomy is usually done by keyhole surgery. Pyloromyotomy divides the thickened muscle of the stomach outlet and lets the baby feed again within a day or so. Major newborn operations, such as repair of oesophageal atresia, diaphragmatic hernia or Hirschsprung disease, are planned with the neonatal team and may be followed by further procedures as the child grows. Where suitable, keyhole surgery with small instruments means smaller scars and less pain.
Diagnostics and technology
Ultrasound is the main imaging tool in children because it uses no radiation and needs no sedation, and it is used for hernias, testes, kidneys, appendicitis and pyloric stenosis. Contrast studies, in which the child swallows or receives a liquid that shows on X-ray, outline the oesophagus, stomach and bowel. MRI is preferred over CT when detailed images are needed, to keep radiation low, although young children may need sedation to lie still. Hirschsprung disease is confirmed by a rectal biopsy that checks for nerve cells. Many birth defects are first seen on a pregnancy scan, and fetal MRI can add detail for planning. Operating theatres for children use smaller instruments, warming systems and monitoring adapted to small bodies, and keyhole equipment comes in sizes designed for infants. Blood tests are kept to a minimum, and numbing cream is used before needles.
What to expect as an international patient
Begin by sending your child's medical records, scan reports and images, previous operation notes and a list of medicines and allergies. A remote review tells you whether surgery is advised, when it is best timed and how long to plan for. Most families travel with one or both parents, and paediatric units usually allow a parent to stay with the child, including overnight. Before the operation the anaesthetist meets the family, explains fasting times and answers questions. After day-case surgery, families usually stay nearby for a few days for a wound check before flying. After major surgery, such as bowel or newborn operations, the stay can last several weeks, and follow-up continues over months or years. You receive a written summary for your child's doctor at home, and many teams remain available for remote follow-up questions and the review of later scans.
Frequently asked questions
These answers are general guidance and may vary by provider. Confirm the details with the hospital you choose.
Can I stay with my child before and after surgery?
In most paediatric units, yes. A parent can usually stay with the child until anaesthesia begins, often holding them as they fall asleep, and rejoin them in the recovery area soon after they wake. Parents can normally stay at the bedside day and night on the ward. Ask the team in advance about the arrangements, as rules for siblings and a second parent vary.
Is general anaesthesia safe for young children?
General anaesthesia in children is routine and closely monitored when it is given by anaesthetists trained in paediatric care, with doses and equipment matched to the age and weight of the child. Research continues on the effects of long or repeated anaesthesia in very young children, so teams avoid unnecessary procedures and keep anaesthesia as short as possible. Your anaesthetist discusses your child's specific situation and any medical conditions.
At what age should an undescended testis be operated on?
Most guidelines advise surgery between about 6 and 18 months of age if the testis has not come down by itself by around 6 months. Earlier surgery is thought to help protect fertility and makes later self-checks easier. If your child is older and has not yet had surgery, the operation is still advised, and the surgeon explains what can be expected at that age.
How soon after a hernia repair can we fly home?
Children usually recover quickly from a hernia repair and often return to normal play within a few days. Many teams are comfortable with a flight after about 2 to 5 days, once the wound has been checked and the child is eating, drinking and moving normally. Your surgeon confirms the timing and gives advice on pain relief and wound care during the journey.
What if my baby's condition was found during pregnancy?
Many birth defects that need surgery, such as diaphragmatic hernia or abdominal wall defects, are seen on pregnancy scans. In that case, the delivery is usually planned at a hospital that has both a neonatal intensive care unit and a paediatric surgery team, so the baby can be treated soon after birth. This often means travelling before the birth and staying for weeks to months afterwards.
Will my child need more than one operation?
For most common conditions, such as hernia or undescended testis, one operation is enough. Some conditions, including certain types of hypospadias, oesophageal atresia, anorectal malformations and Hirschsprung disease, may need staged surgery or later procedures as the child grows. The surgeon outlines the expected plan from the start, so that you can arrange travel and follow-up in good time.
How is pain managed after surgery?
Pain relief is planned before the operation. Many children receive a local or regional block during anaesthesia, which numbs the area for hours afterwards, followed by regular medicines such as paracetamol and anti-inflammatory drugs. Nurses use pain scales suited to the child's age, including face pictures or behaviour scores for children who cannot yet describe pain. You go home with clear instructions on doses.
How is follow-up arranged after we return home?
You receive a written summary describing the operation, the findings and any stitches, drains or catheters, along with the follow-up plan. Wound checks and simple follow-up can usually be done by your child's doctor at home. For conditions that need long-term monitoring, such as bowel or newborn surgery, the team can review progress remotely and advise when a return visit is needed.
Not sure which hospital fits your case?
Upload your medical records and let AI match you to the right hospital.
Upload records and get matchedAvailable in these cities
Not sure which hospital fits your case?
Upload your medical records and let AI match you to the right hospital.
Upload records and get matched