When a child needs surgery, parents often have more questions than answers. What is causing the problem? Does the child really need surgery? What will the treatment involve?
At Vydehi Hospital, 25 years of healthcare experience have included caring for children with a range of conditions. As part of its Silver Jubilee initiative, selected paediatric surgical procedures are available at government tariffs. These include hernia repair, hypospadias repair, choledochal cyst excision, open pyeloplasty and orchidopexy.
The suitability of each paediatric surgery depends on the child’s condition, medical findings and the assessment of the treating surgeon.
What is paediatric surgery?
Paediatric Surgery is a field of surgical care for infants, children and adolescents. Unlike adult surgery, treatment for children needs to take into account their age, growth and development along with the condition itself.
A paediatric surgeon may treat problems that’re present from birth as well as conditions that develop during childhood. Some congenital conditions in children are easy to notice. For instance, swelling, unusual appearance or physical abnormality may bring a child to attention. In some cases the problem may only become apparent during a routine examination or diagnostic test.
However, surgery is not automatically the answer.
The child’s symptoms, age, overall health and test results are considered before a treatment plan is recommended. When surgery is needed, paediatric surgical care focuses on addressing the condition while keeping the child’s needs at the centre of treatment.
An inguinal hernia develops when tissue pushes through an area in the groin. Parents may notice a bulge, particularly when the child cries, coughs, or strains.
In children an inguinal hernia is often linked to an opening that does not close completely during development. A clinical examination can help determine whether treatment is required.
Inguinal hernia repair in children, also referred to as hernia repair, involves closing the opening through which the tissue is protruding. The appropriate surgical approach is decided by the surgeon after assessing the child’s condition.
Hypospadias is a condition in which the opening for passing urine is located on the underside of the penis rather than at its usual position.
Hypospadias repair is performed to correct the position of the opening and address related concerns. However, the approach is not identical for every child.
The treating surgeon examines the child, considers the specific anatomy and condition before deciding on the appropriate treatment.
A choledochal cyst is a swelling in part of the bile duct system. Depending on its location and characteristics, it can interfere with the movement of bile.
When surgery is considered necessary, choledochal cyst excision generally involves removing the cyst and reconstructing the part of the bile duct system. The goal is to restore a pathway for bile flow and address the underlying problem.
The surgical plan can vary from one child to another. Factors such as the location of the cyst and the child’s overall health are taken into account before treatment.
The kidneys produce urine, which normally passes through the ureters into the bladder. Sometimes an obstruction develops where the kidney meets the ureter. This area is known as the junction.
Open pyeloplasty is a procedure used to address this type of obstruction. Whether paediatric surgery is appropriate depends on the child’s symptoms, test results, kidney function and other clinical findings.
An undescended testicle is a condition in which one or both testicles do not move into the scrotum as expected during development.
Orchidopexy is a procedure used to bring the undescended testicle into the scrotum and secure it in the appropriate position. It is commonly performed as testicle surgery when surgical treatment is recommended.
For parents, the need for paediatric surgery can feel overwhelming. However, understanding what is happening is often the first step towards feeling more prepared.
Booking a consultation with a paediatric surgeon allows parents to discuss the child’s diagnosis, available treatment options and what to expect before and after surgery. It also allows the team to assess whether an operation is actually necessary.
