Description

Pediatric Surgery

Committed to the Future – Children Come First at Yeditepe!

As Yeditepe University Hospital, our aim is to treat pediatric
surgery cases in a contemporary, compassionate and flawless manner using all
the tools of advanced technology and caring specialists.

The first thing we always need to bear in mind is that children are not just miniature copies of adults.
On the contrary, children have unique anatomic, physiologic and psychological
characteristics. Pediatric surgery is a creative and dynamic branch of surgery
based on this awareness. The most crucial aspect of pediatric surgery, which
works in a multidisciplinary manner with other branches of medicine, is an
ability to establish close contact with the child and his or her family.

The Pediatric Surgery Department at Yeditepe University Hospital carries out polyclinic monitoring and treatment
for surgical issues relating to the digestive system, urinary tract, chest
cavity and heart in patients from the pre-natal stage to the age of 18. As well
as open surgery procedures, the department performs various non-surgical
endoscopic and laparoscopic interventions.

In addition, the department treats frequently occurring congenital spina bifida cases that
require surgery, issues such as bedwetting, and specialized polyclinic services
in conjunction with other branches. Most pediatric surgical cases are carried
out on the same day, without the need for hospitalization.

The main surgical procedures carried out at the department are:

inguinal hernia,

hydrocele,

undescended testes,

circumcision,

catheter insertion

procedures such as endoscopy

Children can return home 2 or 3 hours after such surgery; special pain relief medication ensures that they
do not experience undue post-op pain in the hospital or at home. As well as
addressing neonatal anomalies requiring surgical correction, the pediatric
surgery department works closely with Yeditepe’s childbirth team, neonatal
intensive care doctors and pediatric experts in monitoring anomalies detected
in the womb, as well as diagnostic and treatment interventions carried out in
the womb.

In addition to this, pediatric surgeons are on hand for consultation in neonatal intensive care
cases when required. Babies are monitored and cared for by specialist doctors
and nurses in the neonatal intensive care unit after surgery. Surgical
interventions to treat congenital anomalies that emerge later in childhood from
the esophagus to the entire gastro – intestinal tract as far as the anus,
appendicitis, suddenly occurring pathologies such as stomach and intestinal
perforations, liver and biliary tract conditions, gallstones and enlarged
spleens generally associated with blood diseases, are performed by pediatric
surgeons. Moreover, procedures in cases such as congenital and non-congenital childhood
lung and respiratory issues and the urgent removal of foreign bodies from the
esophagus, are carried out by specialist pediatric surgeons.

Surgical and endoscopic interventions are also carried out by pediatric surgeons specializing in
pediatric urology. These include congenital conditions such as cystic kidney
diseases, congestion and widening of the urinary tracts, urinary leakage into
the kidneys, bladder abnormalities, penile abnormalities, and the absence of
the urinary opening, as well as later-developing conditions such as stones and
trauma. Pediatric oncologists and surgeons are also specially trained to treat
tumors that develop during childhood in the lung, liver and gastro-intestinal
system, lymph nodes, kidneys, bladder and soft tissue. These specialists
administer pre- and post-operative care as well as performing surgical
treatments within in multidisciplinary approach. Finally, pediatric surgeons
perform surgical tumor removal procedures such as port insertion and
facilitative services during the medication stage of treatment.

A Case in Point: Inguinal Hernias in Baby Boys

Talking to us about inguinal (groin) hernias, which are more prevalent in
premature or overweight births, the Head
of Yeditepe University Hospital Pediatric Surgery Department Prof. Dr. Selami
Sözübirsays “A first class hospital is a must for the
successful surgical treatment of inguinal hernias.” Explaining that the groin
region is the part of the body most commonly subject to pediatric surgical
procedures, Professor Sözübir states that of these operations, inguinal hernia
repair is the most frequently performed procedure of all.

“Inguinal hernias afflict about 3% of boys. Cases occur
most frequently in premature births or when the baby is born overweight. As the
testes complete their development in the mother’s womb, they descend from their
original position in the abdomen to take their proper place in the scrotum.
This movement begins around the 3rd month and is completed close to the
time of birth.  The testes pass through the inguinal canal as they emerge
from the abdomen. This canal normally closes and loses its function with the
birth of the child. However, in the event that one or two of these canals fails
to close, a hernia develops. If the open canal is wide, it can lead to
herniated abdominal organs, or more commonly herniated bowels. This is what an
inguinal is all about. Swelling may occur in the groin or the scrotum. Rather
than pain, it leads to discomfort and sometimes to feelings of nausea.”