What is Pediatric Surgery?
A super-specialty branch of surgery which takes care of surgical diseases of children from newborn babies to teenagers.
While specialization among adult surgeons usually focuses on a particular organ or region of the body (urology, neurosurgery etc.), pediatric surgery is the super-specialty that deals with a defined age group. Pediatric surgeons are trained to operate anywhere from the neck to the pelvic region.
Why is ‘Pediatric Surgery’ a distinct Super specialty?
Children are not miniature adults.
Children have some unique problems that require very special surgical management. They are different in many ways and they have special needs too. They cannot always say what is bothering them. They cannot always answer medical questions, and are not always able to be patient and helpful during a medical examination. Pediatric surgeons know how to examine and treat children in a way that makes them relaxed and cooperative. In addition, pediatric surgeons use equipment and facilities specifically designed for children. Some of the conditions are unique to children and require long term care.
Such special care can be given only by a pediatric surgeon.
Who is a qualified pediatric surgeon?
To become a qualified pediatric surgeon requires completion of one of the longest training program in Indian medical system. After graduating medical college(MBBS) and completing an accredited post graduate residency program of 3 years in general surgery (M.S), an additional residency program for 3 years (M.Ch) exclusively devoted to children’s surgery is required to become a qualified pediatric surgeon.
So, when your pediatrician suggests that your child needs to be seen by a pediatric surgeon, you can be assured that he has the widest range of treatment options, the most extensive and complete training, and the greatest expertise in dealing with children and in treating surgical disorders.
Is anesthesia safe for my child?
The recent advances in modern medicine has made Anesthesia very safe even for tiny premature babies weighting less than 1 kg.
The anesthesiologist decides the type of anesthesia to be given.
Three to four hours of fasting is required for smaller children (infants) and 6 hours of fasting is required for bigger children before elective (non-emergency) surgery.
Your child will not feel pain during surgery.
After surgery, your child may be little agitated, have nausea or vomiting and sometimes fever.
