Minimally Invasive Pediatric Surgery: Procedures Offered

Abdominal Procedures (Laparoscopy)

Appendectomy: Removal of the appendix

Bowel Resection: Removal of a portion of the intestines. Usually done for inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis).

Cholecystectomy: Removal of the gall bladder

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

• Nissen Fundoplication: This procedure involves wrapping a portion of the top part of the stomach at the end of the esophagus. This tightened "wrap" helps to keep stomach acid from flowing back up into the esophagus.
• Stretta: A University of Chicago Children's Hospital surgeon was the second in the nation to offer this procedure to teens. Stretta is an advanced procedure that uses radiofrequency energy to create small lesions at the end of the esophagus. Over time, these lesions heal, resulting in decreased heartburn symptoms. Stretta does not require any incisions--the procedure is performed using a special catheter that is inserted down the throat. This is an outpatient procedure that may require only an overnight stay in the hospital. Most patients are back to school within several days of treatment.

Hirschsprung's Disease: Pull-through procedure to remove the part of the intestine that does not have ganglion cells.

Intussusception Repair: Intussusception means that one part of an organ has "infolded" into another. This usually occurs in the intestines. Minimally invasive surgery is performed to correct the problem and restore normal organ function.

Liver Biopsy

Nephrectomy: Removal of the kidney

Ovarian Cyst Resection: Removal of ovarian cysts

Pyloric Stenosis Repair/Pyloromyotomy: In this procedure, surgeons cut an abnormally thick pyloric muscle to open up the passage between the stomach and the small intestines.

Splenectomy: Removal of the spleen

Trauma Procedures

Chest Procedures (Thoracoscopy)

Cardiac Procedures/Congenital Heart Disease: We are one of only a few programs in the world to offer robot-assisted minimally invasive pediatric cardiac surgery, an innovative surgical method that allows a greater range of motion and precision for some procedures. »More information about minimally invasive pediatric cardiac surgery

Decortication: Removal of the surface membrane of an organ. This is sometimes done to treat an infection.

Lung Biopsy

Mediastinal Mass Biopsy/Removal

Myasthenia Gravis: Thymectomy or the removal of the thymus

Pectus Excavatum (Funnel Chest): Nuss procedure: Pectus excavatum causes a significant concave deformity of the chest. The Nuss procedure involves the insertion of a bar into the chest to correct the problem. This advanced surgery does not require removal of cartilage.

Other Procedures

• Facial plastics procedures: Typically for removal of cysts
• Hydrocephalus treatment
• Pediatric urology minimally invasive procedures
• Scoliosis treatment
• Tumor removal