Why Choose Us for Pediatric General Surgery?
Experienced Surgeons
University of Chicago Comer Children's Hospital surgeons are pioneers in the field of pediatric surgery. They're committed to bringing the latest advancements in pediatric care to their young patients. Our surgeons are board-certified in general surgery, with additional certification in pediatric surgery and surgical critical care.
Minimally Invasive Surgery: Less Pain, Faster Recovery
The hallmark of our pediatric general surgery program is our expertise in minimally invasive surgery. These procedures are performed with special instruments through very small "keyhole" incisions. The results are less pain, minimal scarring, and a faster recovery. Our approach is in contrast to many hospitals that perform these procedures using open techniques--which require long incisions and a prolonged recovery period. Some of the conditions we treat with minimally invasive techniques include:
- Appendicitis
- Crohn's disease
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD, chronic heartburn)
- Myasthenia gravis
- Pectus excavatum (funnel chest)
Highlights of Our Comprehensive Care Plan
- Here, each child and their family is partnered with an experienced pediatric nurse who provides detailed information about all aspects of the child's care, including education on medications, wound care, and post-surgical issues.
- A key part of our treatment plan is age-appropriate pain assessment. We evaluate each child to make sure his or her pain is properly managed before, during, and after surgery.
- Child life specialists meet one-on-one with each child to ease fears about treatment. These professionals provide age-specific education about what to expect before and after surgery. Child life specialists also can help children with the transition back to school after treatment.
- Patients and their families have access to other pediatric experts, including child psychiatrists and psychologists, social workers, physical therapists, and others.
- Throughout the treatment process, families play a key role in their child's care. We also make sure families are provided the education and tools they need to care for their child after surgery.
We welcome the opportunity to evaluate any child who may benefit from surgical treatment. Our goal is to ensure the best possible outcome with the least amount of pain, scarring, or complications.
