When your child needs surgery, you can count on our highly experienced pediatric surgeons. From common procedures like appendectomies and hernia repairs to more complex surgeries like tumor resections and kidney transplants, we’ll provide your child with dedicated care before, during and after surgery.

Your child’s health and well-being are our top priority when determining your child’s treatment plan. We only recommend surgery when it’s truly the best option for their overall care. From the moment you walk through our doors, you and your family will be surrounded by pediatric experts ready to support your child every step of the way.

Our Approach to Pediatric Surgery

We understand there is a lot to consider when deciding whether surgery is right for your child, or when looking into surgical options. Your pediatric surgical team will address any questions or concerns and offer solutions that are right for your child’s needs, ensuring you and your child know what to expect and how to prepare.

At MU Health Care, our pediatric surgeons are highly specialized. That means your child will receive care from providers who are trained in their specific conditions and needs.

Our team includes:

• Cancer surgeons who treat pediatric cancers.

• Fetal surgeons who treat fetal conditions like twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome before your baby is born.

• Gastrointestinal (GI) surgeons who treat GI conditions like inflammatory bowel disease and achalasia.

• General surgeons who treat hernias, abscesses, appendicitis and other common conditions.

• Neonatal surgeons who treat congenital conditions like gastroschisis and omphalocele. 

• Pediatric neurosurgeons who treat neurological conditions and head and spinal deformities

• Thoracic surgeons who treat congenital lung conditions.

• Transplant surgeons who provide kidney transplants for children.

Advanced Surgical Care

Our goal is to make surgery and recovery as easy as possible for your child. In many cases, we can offer your child minimally invasive surgery. These procedures use smaller incisions and typically result in a quicker, easier recovery.

Our surgeons also specialize in complex surgeries if you are pregnant and your unborn baby is facing a health challenge. Your doctor may refer you to our Fetal Intervention Center if your baby needs treatment before they are born.

Conditions We Treat

• Abscesses
• Achalasia
• Anorectal malformations
• Appendicitis
• Bowel Management
• Chest wall conditions
• Congenital lung malformations
• Gall stones
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• Gastroschisis
• Familial polyposis syndromes
• Feeding conditions
• Fetal anomalies
• Foreign bodies
• Hepatobiliary diseases
• Hernias
• Hirschsprung disease
• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
• Kidney disease
• Lumps
• Omphalocele
• Pediatric cancers and tumors
• Pilonidal diseases
• Pyloric stenosis
• Rectal prolapse
• Spina bifida
• Twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome
• Undescended testicles
• Vascular Anomalies

Pediatric Surgery Tests and Treatments

• Appendectomy
• Fetal surgery
• General surgery
• Kasai surgery
• Kidney transplant
• Laparoscopic surgery
• Neonatal surgery
• Thoracoscopic surgery and repair
• Thoracoscopic lung resections
• Single incision pediatric laparoscopic surgeries
• Robotic surgery
• Anorectal and colonic manometry
• Esophageal and Antroduodenal manometry

Why Choose MU Health Care for Pediatric Surgery

• Expert pediatric surgical care: Our team provides the full range of surgeries for children of all ages. When your child needs specialized surgical care, you’ll have experts supporting you every step of the way at MU Health Care. Our highly specialized team offers general surgery, GI surgery, surgical oncology, thoracic surgery, colorectal surgery, esophageal surgery, kidney transplant, fetal surgery and more.
• Pediatric laparoscopic surgery: Our surgeons offer the only single incision pediatric laparoscopic surgery program in our region. This type of procedure is just as effective as other surgeries but uses only one small incision. The incision is hidden in the belly button, so your child will not have a visible scar.
• Minimally invasive and robotic pediatric surgery techniques: Our surgeons use advanced techniques, including thoracoscopic, robotic, and minimally invasive procedures like the Nuss repair for pectus excavatum, to perform complex surgeries through small incisions. These approaches reduce pain, speed up recovery and improve cosmetic and long-term outcomes for children.
• Specialized fetal care: When your baby has a health issue during your pregnancy, you may be referred to our Fetal Intervention Center. Your care team will diagnosis the issue and put together a treatment plan that offers advanced care and support before, during and after your delivery.