Surgery at Carilion Children's
Surgery at Carilion Children's
Surgery at Carilion Children's
It can feel scary to hear your child needs an operation. But if they do, you want them in the most capable hands possible.
At Carilion Children's, our specialists offer the latest in minimally invasive surgical techniques. Our goal is to have your child happy, healthy, and active again.
When it comes to surgery, children have different needs than adults. Their bodies are still growing, and pediatric surgeons tailor procedures to your child’s size and stage of development.
At Carilion, we perform operations for children with injuries, illnesses, and birth defects. Depending on the procedure, some children stay in the hospital for a few days, while others go home the same day.
Our pediatric surgeons are specially trained to care for children and use minimally invasive techniques whenever appropriate. These procedures may mean smaller incisions, less pain, and a shorter recovery.
Why Pediatric Surgery?
When it comes to surgery, children have different needs than adults. Their bodies are still growing, and pediatric surgeons tailor procedures to your child’s size and stage of development.
At Carilion, we perform operations for children with injuries, illnesses, and birth defects. Depending on the procedure, some children stay in the hospital for a few days, while others go home the same day.
Our pediatric surgeons are specially trained to care for children and use minimally invasive techniques whenever appropriate. These procedures may mean smaller incisions, less pain, and a shorter recovery.
Children may need an operation for many reasons. Some are born with a birth defect that requires treatment. Others may need an operation after an injury or because of a tumor.
Some of the most common conditions we treat include:
Abdominal conditions and emergencies
- Abdominal wall defects
- Appendicitis
- Blocked or absent bile ducts
- Defects of the anus or rectum
- Gallstones
- Gastroesophageal reflux (GER)
- Hernias
- Intra-abdominal emergencies
Urologic conditions
- Hydrocele (fluid around the testicle)
- Undescended testicles
- Masses of the groin or testicles
- Redundant foreskin and other foreskin disorders
Chest and lung conditions
- Pectus carinatum (outward protrusion of the breastbone and ribs)
- Pectus excavatum (sunken chest)
- Tracheoesophageal fistulas (abnormal connection between windpipe and food pipe)
- Lung infections that require drainage
Skin and soft tissue conditions
- Masses and other conditions affecting the skin and soft tissues anywhere on the body
Other conditions
- Feeding problems
- Internal lesions and tumors
Conditions We Treat
Children may need an operation for many reasons. Some are born with a birth defect that requires treatment. Others may need an operation after an injury or because of a tumor.
Some of the most common conditions we treat include:
Abdominal conditions and emergencies
- Abdominal wall defects
- Appendicitis
- Blocked or absent bile ducts
- Defects of the anus or rectum
- Gallstones
- Gastroesophageal reflux (GER)
- Hernias
- Intra-abdominal emergencies
Urologic conditions
- Hydrocele (fluid around the testicle)
- Undescended testicles
- Masses of the groin or testicles
- Redundant foreskin and other foreskin disorders
Chest and lung conditions
- Pectus carinatum (outward protrusion of the breastbone and ribs)
- Pectus excavatum (sunken chest)
- Tracheoesophageal fistulas (abnormal connection between windpipe and food pipe)
- Lung infections that require drainage
Skin and soft tissue conditions
- Masses and other conditions affecting the skin and soft tissues anywhere on the body
Other conditions
- Feeding problems
- Internal lesions and tumors
If your child needs an operation, we use the least invasive approach possible. Our board-certified surgeons have experience with robotic and laparoscopic techniques. This may mean fewer complications, less pain, and a shorter recovery for your child.
Our treatments include:
Abdominal procedures
- Anorectoplasty to repair defects of the anus or rectum
- Bowel resection to remove part of the intestine, including for inflammatory bowel disease
- Cholecystectomy to remove the gallbladder
- Corrections of abdominal wall defects
- Placement of feeding tubes
- Hernia repair
- Removal of blocked bile ducts
- Removal of cancerous or non-cancerous growths
- Removal of the spleen
- GER repair
Urologic procedures
- Circumcision
- Hydrocele repair
- Hernia repair
- Orchiopexy to move an undescended testicle into the scrotum
Chest and lung procedures
- Chest wall repair for sunken chest
- Removal of all or part of a lung
- Fistula repair to close an abnormal connection between windpipe and foodpipe
- Other operations involving the chest, lungs, esophagus, and trachea
Skin and soft tissue procedures
- Removal of skin and soft tissue masses
Operations We Offer
If your child needs an operation, we use the least invasive approach possible. Our board-certified surgeons have experience with robotic and laparoscopic techniques. This may mean fewer complications, less pain, and a shorter recovery for your child.
Our treatments include:
Abdominal procedures
- Anorectoplasty to repair defects of the anus or rectum
- Bowel resection to remove part of the intestine, including for inflammatory bowel disease
- Cholecystectomy to remove the gallbladder
- Corrections of abdominal wall defects
- Placement of feeding tubes
- Hernia repair
- Removal of blocked bile ducts
- Removal of cancerous or non-cancerous growths
- Removal of the spleen
- GER repair
Urologic procedures
- Circumcision
- Hydrocele repair
- Hernia repair
- Orchiopexy to move an undescended testicle into the scrotum
Chest and lung procedures
- Chest wall repair for sunken chest
- Removal of all or part of a lung
- Fistula repair to close an abnormal connection between windpipe and foodpipe
- Other operations involving the chest, lungs, esophagus, and trachea
Skin and soft tissue procedures
- Removal of skin and soft tissue masses
If your child needs an operation, you can feel confident choosing the team at Carilion. We offer:
Experienced surgical care
We perform more than 430 inpatient pediatric operations each year. We also perform more than 2,300 outpatient pediatric surgical procedures annually.
Prenatal consults
If your baby may have a birth defect, our surgeons will meet with you before the birth. They will help you better understand what to expect after the delivery.
Why Choose Carilion Clinic?
If your child needs an operation, you can feel confident choosing the team at Carilion. We offer:
Research and Education
Our pediatric surgeons get involved in work beyond the operating room. At Carilion, our doctors:
Lead the way in education
We help train the next generation of pediatric surgeons. Our doctors coordinate with Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine. They lead residency programs and hold faculty positions.
Conduct cutting edge research
Our doctors conduct clinical research. One recent study was on trauma and concussion in children. Another focused on the effect of anxiety on outcomes in pediatric surgery.
Health and Wellness
Parents, Give Yourselves a Break
When Children Are Very Sick: How You Can Help
Finding the Right Pediatrician
Get Care at Carilion Children's
When your child needs surgery, our pediatric surgery team is here to help. Find a pediatric surgeon, get location details, call our office, or sign in to MyChart to manage your child's care.
Get Care at Carilion Children's
When your child needs surgery, our pediatric surgery team is here to help. Find a pediatric surgeon, get location details, call our office, or sign in to MyChart to manage your child's care.
Get Care at Carilion Children's
When your child needs surgery, our pediatric surgery team is here to help. Find a pediatric surgeon, get location details, call our office, or sign in to MyChart to manage your child's care.
Get Care at Carilion Children's
When your child needs surgery, our pediatric surgery team is here to help. Find a pediatric surgeon, get location details, call our office, or sign in to MyChart to manage your child's care.