MaineHealth surgeons provide outstanding surgical care to children and young adults. They are specially trained in the unique needs of our youngest patients and practice evidence-based care to achieve the best possible health outcomes.
What is pediatric surgery?
Pediatric surgery is defined as the diagnostic, operative, and postoperative surgical care of patients from prenatal diagnosis through young adult. Pediatric surgeons can performs surgery on a fetus while it is still in the womb, or on infants, children and adolescents. Surgery may be to correct a birth defect, repair an injury or treat an illness.
Services Include:
- Treatment for hernia, hydrocele and undescended testicles
- Minimally invasive surgery of chest and abdomen (laparoscopy, thoracoscopy)
- Newborn surgery
- Correction of cardiac abnormalities
- Gastrointestinal surgery (Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis)
- Long-term bowel management
- CircumcisionTrauma
- Children's cancer surgery
- Lumps in the neck
- Chest wall defects (pectus)
- Plastic surgery
Pediatric Plastic Surgery
If your child needs plastic surgery, it is important to be well-informed on the specific procedure before and after the operation takes place. Pediatric surgeons at MaineHealth are available to answer questions and address any concerns related to pediatric plastic surgery. Some pediatric conditions that are treated with plastic surgery include:
- Cleft lip
- Cleft palate
- Birth Marks
- Traumatic injuries
- Ear deformities
- Tumors
- Burns
- Facial bone fractures
- Malformations in the face or skull
Doctors and surgeons work with children and their families to determine the best treatment option for their condition or injury, which in some cases is plastic surgery. Plastic surgery sometimes is the best option to restore mobility, function, and appearance to the part of the child’s body affected by their condition or injury.
As with any surgery, pediatric plastic surgery has potential risks and side effects depending on the present health condition and specific surgery to be performed. Talk with your pediatric surgeon about risks specific to pediatric plastic surgery.