- Paediatric Oncological Surgery
- Evaluation of Childhood Tumors
- Paediatric Minimally Invasive Surgery (Endoscopic; laparoscopic & thoracoscopic surgery)
- General Surgery in Children and Adolescents
- Neonatal Surgery
- Surgery on Congenital Malformations
- Home care management
Similar term as ‘paediatric surgical oncology’. It refers to the specialized management of childhood cancers with surgery. Surgical management of paediatric cancers has evolved along with the development of multimodality therapies, new treatment protocols and technologies. Mutilating surgeries of the past are rarely necessary. Our ability to incorporate the new surgical techniques will make recovery quicker and more pleasant for our children. Surgery is performed in close collaboration with our team of the paediatric haematologists/oncologists.
Examples include neuroblastoma, hepatoblastoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, nonrhabdomyosarcoma soft-tissue sarcoma (NRSTS), Wilms tumor, germ cell tumor etc.
When you suspect that your child has cancer, especially an abnormal growth or tumor, surgery may be required to confirm the diagnosis. A paediatric oncological surgeon is equipped with the available evaluation techniques and is aware that initial evaluations may have implications on the subsequent treatment. His experience in performing paediatric oncologic surgical procedures ensures that all tissue necessary for properly diagnosing the disease is obtained. He works in close collaboration with the paediatric haematologists/oncologists, radiation therapists, pathologists and scientists to ensure that all the appropriate diagnostic tests and biological evaluations are performed.
Minimally invasive surgery has revolutionized surgical management by offering less tissue dissection while able to achieve the requirements of the surgical treatment. It offers less postoperative pain, faster recovery, shorter hospitalization and excellent cosmesis. However, strict patient selection criteria is adhered to for patients’ safety.
Examples include laparoscopic appendicectomy, laparoscopic pyloromyotomy, laparoscopic removal of ovarian cyst, laparoscopic removal of Meckel’s diverticulum, laparoscopic splenectomy, laparoscopic fundoplication, thoracoscopic pulmonary lobectomy for congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation of the lung, thoracoscopic repair of congenital diaphragmatic hernia etc.
Surgical management of childhood conditions in children from birth to the age of 16 years. Special attention is placed into the children's physiological and psychological needs unique to their age groups [infants, toddlers, school-going children & adolescents] and their potential for growth and development. Examples include repair of childhood hernia (herniotomy), correction of undescended testes (orchidopexy), pyloric stenosis (pyloromyotomy), removal of lumps.
Surgical management of newborns of age 28 days or less. The management of extremely low birth weight babies is most challenging and rewarding. This has been made possible with a team of dedicated neonatologists.
Congenital malformations are deformities that may require surgical corrections. They are usually diagnosed antenatally or afterwards. Smaller babies with such malformations are best managed by an experienced team comprising of paediatric surgeons, paediatric anaesthetists and intensivists.
Preparing a child with special medical needs for discharge from the hospital requires careful planning, site-evaluation and preparations. Special devices include central venous access devices, special feeding devices like gastrostomy and jejunostomy, ventilatory devices and wound and stoma care management. Caregivers may be provided with the necessary hands-on teaching and ability to troubleshoot. Paediatric medical transport services can also be arranged.
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