Pediatric Surgery at UChicago Medicine

Image of a child talking to her nurse prior to a pediatric surgery procedure

Meet our Pediatric Surgeons Request an Appointment

Comprehensive Pediatric Surgery Care

At Comer Children's Hospital, our pediatric surgeons have unique expertise in surgical care for children of all ages — from the tiniest newborns to teens and young adults.

When seeking the best surgical care for your child's care, it's important to look for experts who are specially trained in caring for children. This is because surgery for children is very different from surgery for adults.

It's not only because children are smaller — but kids react differently to surgery and anesthesia. Treatments should be planned with each child's growth and development in mind.

Our Pediatric Surgery Services

Our pediatric surgical team includes experts in every surgical subspecialty, from cardiac surgery and general surgery, to neurosurgery and transplant surgery.

Our Approach

Every child is different and we consider your child’s unique needs to make sure they get the personalized, comprehensive care they deserve.

UChicago Medicine Comer Children’s takes a multidisciplinary approach to your child's care, with a vast team of pediatric experts working together from several surgical and medical specialties.

Why Choose Comer Children’s for Pediatric Surgery?

Our pediatric surgical team operate in state-of-the-art facilities equipped with the latest technology. Here, our pediatric surgeons are leaders in minimally invasive surgery — an approach that speeds recovery, reduces pain and minimizes scarring, compared to traditional open surgical techniques.

Frequently Asked Questions About Pediatric Surgery

What are the most common pediatric surgeries?

There are a variety of different pediatric surgeries – both major and minor.

These include:

Adenoidectomy (removing adenoids)
Appendectomy (removing the appendix)
Bilary Atresia
Cholecystectomy (removing the gallbladder)
Circumcision
Pediatric Congenital Heart Surgery
Cosmetic surgery
Cyst removal
Ear tube placement (tympanostomy)
Hernia repair surgery
Surgery for pediatric brain and spinal cord tumors
Tonsillectomy (removing tonsils)

Pediatric surgeons at Comer Children’s specialize in a wide range of unique fields and utilize advanced methods to offer the best treatment possible for your child – no matter how common or complex the surgery.

Is anesthesia safe for my child?

How long will my child be in the hospital?

What should I pack for my child’s hospital stay?

You child’s pediatric surgery team may provide some suggestions on what to bring with for your child’s hospital stay and is a great resource if you have any questions.

Make sure to bring all required medical documents, including insurance cards, medical history and vaccination records and a list of medications your child may be taking.

If you and your child are staying overnight at the hospital after the surgery, items that may be helpful include:

Comfortable clothing, including a bathrobe and pajamas
Toiletries
Any necessary medications or medical equipment
Snacks and drinks
School work
Comfort items for your child, like a teddy bear or a blanket
Items to pass time, such as books, toys, games or electronics

What questions should I ask the surgeon?

It’s natural for parents and loved ones to want to know as much as possible leading up to a pediatric surgery. Below are some common questions that may help kids and their family feel more comfortable prior to their procedure date.

How will this surgery help my child?
Why is it the best option moving forward?
Are there any risks associated with this procedure? What are the benefits of this procedure?
What medications will be used throughout the process?
Who will be a part of my child’s surgical care team?
How can we best prepare for the surgery? What do we need to know about the recovery process?
How long will the hospital stay be?
Is there anything my child should or shouldn’t eat before and after surgery?

Support Throughout Your Child's Pediatric Surgery Journey

Preparing for Pediatric Surgery

Our entire team is here to help make you and your child feel as ready and comfortable as possible for the procedure.

Preparing for Your Child's Procedure or Surgery

Recovering from Pediatric Surgery

Your care team continues to support and help your child throughout the post-surgery recovery process.

Your Child's Recovery From Pediatric Surgery

Pediatric Surgery Patient Guides

From cysts to umbilical hernias, learn more about your child's condition and how our pediatric general surgeons can help.

Request a Pediatric Surgery Appointment

We are currently experiencing a high volume of inquiries, leading to delayed response times. For faster assistance, please call 773-702-6169 to schedule your appointment.

If you have symptoms of an urgent nature, please call your doctor or go to the emergency room immediately.

For Referring Physicians

To refer or transfer a patient, call 877-UC-KID-MD (877-825-4363).

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