Pediatric General Surgery

Pediatric general surgeons at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital treat problems in your child’s chest and abdomen, areas of the body containing many important organs. We’re also qualified to remove skin growths, such as cysts or lipomas. Turn to us for specialized care of your child’s unique needs.

Two children play with blocks on the floor

The healing Power of Play is an integral part of patient care at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital.

Why Choose Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital for Pediatric General Surgery?

Our experienced, dedicated surgeons offer a full range of abdominal, pelvic and soft tissue surgery. Here, you’ll find:

A focus on children: Children’s bodies are different from adult bodies, so it’s important to choose a doctor who focuses on their unique needs. As a comprehensive children’s hospital, we’re equipped to provide an accurate diagnosis for your child and recommend appropriate treatment options.
Many specialists under one roof: We look at your child’s individual needs from every relevant angle. Doctors and care team members from multiple disciplines collaborate on your child’s care.
Minimally invasive care: Surgery can be a major event for your whole family. Whenever possible, we use minimally invasive techniques, such as laparoscopy and thoracoscopy (using small cameras to see inside your child’s body). That translates to fewer stitches and generally a smoother, more comfortable recovery than with traditional surgery.
Convenient locations: We offer easy access to pediatric care for busy families. Our surgeons operate at several locations in Broward and Palm Beach counties.

Conditions We Treat

We treat many common and rare conditions, including:

Pediatric Gastrointestinal Conditions

Appendicitis: An infected appendix is the number one reason for emergency surgery. We care for both acute and complicated cases.
Biliary anomalies: These are conditions involving the biliary tract. In biliary atresia, for example, the bile ducts become inflamed and blocked soon after a baby is born. The obstruction causes digestive fluid to damage the liver.
Intestinal or small bowel atresia: This birth defect obstructs a baby’s small intestine, which connects the stomach to the large intestine. In duodenal atresia, the first part of the small bowel (the duodenum) has not developed properly.
Gallstones: Gallstones are hardened deposits of digestive fluid that can form in your child’s gallbladder. Our surgeons can remove them to relieve pain and other symptoms.
Gastroesophageal reflux: When stomach acid flows upward, it can irritate the tube (esophagus) that connects the mouth and stomach.
Intussusception: This type of bowel obstruction happens when one part of the intestine slips, or “telescopes,” into another segment.
Pyloric stenosis: A thickened pylorus (valve between the stomach and small intestine) can prevent food from passing out of a baby’s stomach. The blockage can cause the baby to vomit, become dehydrated, lose weight and feel constantly hungry.
Ulcerative colitis: This is a type of inflammatory bowel disease that affects a child’s large intestine, or colon, causing irritation and swelling. Our surgeons can safely remove the entire colon or only the section that is damaged.
Crohn’s disease: This chronic inflammatory bowel disease affects the lining of the digestive tract. Surgery doesn’t cure Crohn’s disease, but we can remove diseased areas of the intestines to ease inflammation and reduce symptoms.
Imperforate anus: Babies with an improperly developed anus are not able to pass stool normally. Our surgeons repair tissue so the rectum (at the end of the large intestine) and anus function together as they should.
Nutritional problems: Some gastrointestinal conditions prevent children from getting enough nutrients. We can place a gastrostomy tube, also called a G-tube, through the belly to carry fluid and calories to the stomach.

Pediatric Hernias

When an organ pushes through the muscle wall, it can cause a swelling known as a hernia. We care for hernias in the belly, groin, upper abdomen and abdominal wall. Learn more about hernia surgery.

Growths and masses

Tumors and blood disorders: Our surgeons work closely with pediatric oncologists (children’s cancer specialists) when your child needs surgery to remove a growth. We also help with treating blood disorders such as leukemia and lymphoma. Our team performs biopsies (testing tissue samples for disease) and places ports and catheters in a child’s body for chemotherapy.
Breast lesions: Breast lesions in children and adolescents are different from those in adults. Although these growths are usually benign, or noncancerous, they may need to be surgically removed if they are large or cause pain. Learn more about pediatric breast conditions.
“Lumps and bumps”: You may not know that general surgeons are qualified for many procedures you might think of as plastic surgery. We often perform minor procedures to remove lesions on or below the skin, such as cysts or lipomas.