Pediatric Conditions that can be Treated with Surgery

Abdominal Wall Abnormalities

When an infant has a birth defect that involves an opening in the abdomen, this is known as an abdominal wall abnormality or abdominal wall defect.

Acetabular Labral Tears

The labrum is the cartilage ring at the edge of your hip socket. When this ring of cartilage tears, it’s known as an acetabular labral tear.

When a newborn infant's genitals are not clearly male or female, the infant is said to have ambiguous genitalia. The baby genitals may have external features of both sexes and/or the sex organs may not match his/her internal sex organs or their genetic sex.

Ankyloglossia

Ankyloglossia is called tongue-tie because it limits the use of the tongue. It may lead to problems with speech or eating.

Anorectal Malformation

Please see Imperforated Anus for further information.

Appendicitis

The appendix is a finger-like blind-ended tube that arises at the junction of the small and large intestines in the abdomen. Appendicitis is a very common acute infection/inflammation of the appendix usually occurring in children between the ages of 10-19 years.

Atresia

Atresia is a medical term that means that a body part that is tubular in nature does not have a normal opening, or lacks the ability to allow material to pass through it.

Bladder Exstrophy and Epispadias

Bladder exstrophy is a complex birth defect in which in which the bladder is outside of the abdomen. It usually occurs together with epispadias, a defect in the urethral opening.

Bladder Outlet Obstruction

When a person has difficulty urinating, this is often due to bladder outlet obstruction. With BOO, something is causing a blockage in the bladder and preventing the urine from flowing out of the body. The blockage can be partial or complete.

Branchial Cleft Remnant

Branchial cleft remnants are visible birth defects that can occur on the neck. They appear in the form of sinuses or cysts and are problems with the connective tissue that form the structure of the neck.

Cervical Teratoma

When a baby is born with a large mass or tumor on his or her neck, this is known as a cervical teratoma. These are often benign, or non-cancerous, but they can cause other complications. If they occur in adults, they are often cancerous.

Chest Wall Deformities

Conditions that cause physical abnormalities of the chest are known as chest wall deformities. The most common are pectus excavatum (sunken chest or funnel chest) and pectus carinatum (pigeon chest).

Choledochal Cysts

If a duct draining bile from the liver is dilated or shows an out-pouching in a particular segment, this is called a choledochal cyst.

Cholesteatoma

If an unusual growth of skin is present in the middle ear, right behind the eardrum, this is often known as a cholesteatoma.

Cloaca Anomaly

Cloaca Anomaly is a major malformation of the intestinal genital and urinary tracts in females.

Cloacal Exstrophy

Cloacal exstrophy is a serious birth defect in which the pelvic organs do not form properly. It is a very rare problem, occurring is every 300,000 live births.

Congenital Anomalies of the Esophagus and Trachea

Congenital anomalies of the esophagus and trachea are problems with either the esophagus or the trachea (the windpipe) that are present at birth. There are several different kinds that vary in nature and severity.

Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia

The diaphragm is the muscular boundary that helps separate the contents of the chest from those of the abdomen. When there’s a hole within the diaphragm of a growing fetus while it’s in the mother’s womb, this is known as a congenital diaphragmatic hernia, or CDH.

Congenital Growth and Development Defects

Congenital growth and developmental defects is the broad general term used to describe defects that occur as the fetus is growing within its mother’s womb.

Congenital Neck Masses

Any swollen area of lump (cyst) located on the neck can be classified as a congenital neck mass. They can be large and physically disturbing, or barely noticeable to the naked eye.

Conjoined twins

The rare situation where two identical twin fetuses are connected to one another by their skin and internal organs, is known as conjoined twins or conjoined twinning.

Cystic Lung Disease

When abnormal growths known as cysts develop in your lungs, this is known as cystic lung disease. There are many different types of cystic lung disease that can vary in presentation and severity.

Differentiated Thyroid Cancer

Thyroid cancer is cancer that impacts the thyroid gland, a butterfly-shaped gland located in the neck. The most common types of thyroid cancers are known as differentiated thyroid cancers.

Disorders of the Facial Nerve and Skull Base

The facial nerve emerges from the brainstem through the side of the skull to control the muscles of the face, and to transmit taste sensations from the tongue and mouth.

Ectopic Ureter

The ureters are the tubes in the body that drain urine from the kidneys to the bladder. A ureter that is not connected to the bladder, and drains somewhere else is known as an ectopic ureter.

Empyema

The pleura are the smooth coverings between the lungs and the chest wall. Usually they are in close contact with only a small space and a little lubricating fluid between them (pleural space). When this space fills with pus, it’s known as an empyema.

Epispadias

Please see Bladder Exstrophy and Epispadias for further information.

Esophageal Atresia

When a fetus’s esophagus, the tube that carries food to the stomach, does not develop correctly, the defect is known as esophageal atresia.

Fibro Adipose Vascular Anomaly

FAVA is a rare but painful lump or mass that develops in a muscle, usually involving a limb, where the muscle tissue is replaced by tough, fibrous or scar-like tissue, fatty tissue and abnormal blood vessels. Diagnosis is often delayed till late childhood or adolescence.

Gallbladder Disease

The gallbladder is a pouch located beneath the liver that stores bile before sending it along to the small intestine. Any medical condition that impacts the gallbladder can be lumped into the category of “gallbladder disease”.

Ganglion Cyst

A ganglion cyst is a lump that frequently develops near joints or tendons of the wrist or hand. The contents of the cyst resemble joint fluid. The cyst can cause pain or limited mobility.

Gastrointestinal Polyposis

Gastrointestinal polyposis refers to a group of diseases that are known for causing polyps in the stomach, colon, or other areas of the gastrointestinal tract. Polyps are abnormal growths that form on the lining of the GI tract.

Gastroschisis and Omphalocele

Gastroschisis and omphalocele are both part of a relatively uncommon group of birth defects that involve an opening or hole in the abdominal wall, frequently on the right side of the belly button.

Hamartoma

A Hamartoma is a benign, or noncancerous tumor. It is a mixture of normal tissues/cells that grow abnormally in the place where the tissue/cells normally are found.

Hematuria

Red blood cells in the urine is known as hematuria and is quite common in children. Urine may appear to have a pinkish hue, it may be red, or even brown.

Hemitruncus

In this very rare heart abnormality, the main pulmonary artery and one branch, typically the left, are found in the correct position, however the right one comes out of the ascending aorta.

Hepatoblastoma

A hepatoblastoma is a rare tumor that grows from the cells of the liver.

Hernia

A hernia is the extension of a portion of an organ or tissue through an abnormal opening in the wall that normally contains it.

Hirschsprung's Disease

Hirschsprung's disease describes a congenital condition where nerve cells in the wall of the large bowel that normally develop during intrauterine development are missing.

Horseshoe Kidney

Horseshoe kidney is a disorder in which the two kidneys are fused together as one at the lower end giving it a horseshoe-shaped “U” form.

Hydroceles

A hydrocele is a collection of fluid in the sac surrounding the testis lying in the scrotum. It usually occurs on one side but may occur over both testicles.

Hyperinsulinism

Congenital hyperinsulinism is a rare genetic condition in which the cells of the body that are responsible for producing insulin, known as beta cells, produce too much resulting in low blood sugar and a variety of complications. This conditions are called congenital hyperinsulinism.

Hypospadias

Hypospadias is a structural birth defect that results in the opening of the penis not being at its tip; its opening being anywhere on the underside of the penis between the scrotum and the lower underside of the penis.

Imperforated Anus

If a baby is born without an anus (the opening at the end of the digestive tract), then this birth defect is known as an imperforated anus.

Inguinal Hernias

An inguinal hernia is a swelling in the groin area. They may occur on one or both sides and are most frequently found in boys.

Intestinal Atresia, and Stenosis and Intestinal Cysts

Intestinal atresia, is a type of birth defect, refers to a complete block in an area of the intestines of a baby. It occurs when the intestines aren’t formed properly.

Intestinal Dysmotility

The actions of the muscles and nerves in the gastrointestinal tract that mix and move food (muscle contraction and relaxation) along is the known as motility. When something goes wrong with this action in the muscles or in the nerves of the intestines, this is referred to as intestinal dysmotility.

Intestinal Malrotation and Volvulus

Intestinal malrotation is a defect that is present at birth. It occurs when the intestines do not rotate into the proper position as they are developing in the unborn fetus. One common complication of intestinal malrotation is known as volvulus, which is when the intestine twists in such a manner that it cuts off its own blood supply.

Intussusception

When part of the intestine folds in on itself and blocks the flow of materials through the intestine, this condition is known as intussusception. It can have potentially serious consequences.

Jejunal Atresia

Atresia is a medical term that means the opening within the hollow of an organ (in this case the intestine) is blocked. Jejunal atresia arise when this portion of the intestine (the jejunum) fails to develop properly. In one form of jejunal atresia, this portion of the bowel wraps around an artery that supplies blood to the colon, giving the appearance of an apple peel. Jejunal atresia is a defect that is present at birth.

Kidney Stones

A kidney stone is a solid, hard, pebble-like object that forms in a child’s kidneys when normal urine substances become very concentrated.

Larsen Syndrome

Larsen syndrome is a rare genetic disorder that babies can be born with. Common symptoms of Larsen syndrome include clubfeet, scoliosis, hypermobility and other abnormalities.

Laryngeal Cleft

When the body develops normally, the larynx (voice box) sits above the trachea (windpipe), right next to the esophagus. If a laryngeal cleft is present, there’s a gap between the larynx and esophagus that can allow food or liquids to enter the trachea.

Laryngeal Papilloma

Laryngeal papilloma is a disease that leads to wart-like growths on the larynx, or voice box. These are non-cancerous, but they can grow quickly and tend to recur even after being removed.

Laryngomalacia

The larynx, or voice box, ordinarily sits above the trachea, which is the windpipe that leads to the lungs. When the tissue of the larynx is soft and covers the opening of the trachea, this is known as laryngomalacia.

Lymphedema

Edema is the medical term for swelling. When swelling occurs due to a blockage in the lymphatic system, this is known as lymphedema.

Meatal Stenosis

The urethra is the tube from the bladder through which urine passes before it exits the body through a hole at the tip of the penis called the meatus. Mental stenosis is a common, abnormal narrowing of the meatus generally occurring in young boys.

Meckel's Diverticulum

Meckel's diverticulum is a defect that is present at birth. It’s characterized by a pouch that is a leftover of the umbilical cord that has tissue like the stomach or pancreas within.

Megaureter

The ureter is the tube that carries urine from the kidneys to the bladder. Megaureter literally means large ureter. This problem can lead to infections and potentially severe complications.

Microperforate Hymen

The hymen is a thin half moon layer of tissue that commonly surrounds part of the vagina in girls. If the hymen covers the entire vagina and has only one very small hole in the center of it, it is known as microperforate hymen.

Mixed Gonadal Dysgenesis

Mixed gonadal dysgenesis is a sex developmental disorder where the gonads are abnormal from there being some cells with XY chromosomes and some with just a single X, ,known as chromosome Y mosaicism.

Mucous Cyst

A mucous cysts gets its name because it often results from mucus clogging a gland and leading to the formation of the cyst.

Myasthenia Gravis (MG)

MG in a rare chronic autoimmune disease in children of all ages, it is characterized by muscle weakness of varying degree in many different areas of the body, it commonly affects the eyes, mouth, throat, arms and legs.

Necrotizing Enterocolitis

When the lining of the intestines dies off inpremature or even term/pre term infants shortly after birth, this condition is known as necrotizing enterocolitis.

Neurogenic Bladder

Neurogenic bladder means the bladder of a baby/child doesn’t empty properly because of problems with the brain, spinal cord or nerves that control bladder function, essentially paralyzing it.

Noonan Syndrome

Noonan syndrome is a genetic disorder characterized by features such as heart defects, short stature, unique facial features and other physical abnormalities.

Obstructive Uropathy

Obstructive uropathy is a condition in which there is a blockage of the urine flow in the tube that carries urine between the kidneys and the bladder, or anywhere to the external urethral meatus.

Odontogenic Tumors

Odontogenic tumor is the medical term for a growth or cyst that affects the jaw.

Oromandibular Limb Hypoplasia Syndrome

This syndrome is a very rare group of a number of conditions all of whom have congenital malformations of the tongue, upper and lower jaw, with some having variable limb abnormalities as well.

Palatal Tumors

The palate is another word for the roof of the mouth. When abnormal growths of cells known as tumors impact the palate, these are commonly known as palatal tumors.

Pancreatitis

Pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas. The pancreas is an abdominal organ found in the upper part of the abdomen which plays an important role in digestion and controlling the body’s blood sugar.

Peripheral Nerve Injuries

Please see Brachial Plexus Injuries for further information.

Pheochromocytomas

A pheochromocytoma is a rare type of non-cancerous tumor in children that arises in the adrenal gland, which are organs that lie just above the kidneys that secretes a group of chemicals, or hormones, that are part of the body’s response to danger known as “flight or fight” response (e.g. they regulate heart rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure, pupil size, change blood flow from skin to muscles among other functions..

Phimosis and Paraphimosis

Pathological phimosis results from small tears at the tip of the foreskin when it's forcibly retracted or from poor hygiene and infections which lead to scarring of the foreskin. Paraphimosis is a related condition where the foreskin of an uncircumcised or partially circumcised penis gets stuck behind the head of the penis.

Pilomatrixoma

A non-cancerous tumor that affects a hair follicle is known as pilomatrixoma. These usually affect the hair on the head or neck but can occur elsewhere on the body, as well.

Pilonidal Disease

Pilonidal disease is one or more skin openings between the top of the cheeks of the buttocks. A pilonidal sinus is a small tunnel in the skin which may fill with fluid (when it’s a pilonidal cyst it contains, hair, dirt and skin debris) or infected bloody secretions (when it’s called a pilonidal abscess). It’s more common in adult men (though can occur particularly in hairy adolescents).

Pneumothorax

The pleura are two membranes, (with minimal space between them - the pleura cavity, containing a small amount of lubricating fluid), that lie between the lung and the chest wall. A pneumothorax is air in the pleural cavity. Air leaks into the pleural space can occur suddenly or gradually and may be simple (without buildup of significant pressure but with some stable collapse of the lung) or complicated (from air continuing to leak into the pleural space causing increasing lung collapse -called a tension pneumothorax, with further chest problems).

Polycystic Kidney Disease

PKD is a kidney disorder where numerous cysts enlarge in both kidneys reducing the amount of normal kidney tissue and thereby the kidney’s ability to function normally, leading to kidney failure.

Polyposis

Polyposis refers to a group of diseases that are known for causing polyps in the stomach or other areas of the gastrointestinal tract. Polyps are clusters of cells that form on the lining of the GI tract that carry the risk of cancer over time and cause other problems.

Preauricular Pits

A preauricular pit is a small hole and tract/cyst under the skin of the face just in front of the ear.

Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis

The bile ducts are channels that are responsible for carrying a digestive juice known as bile from the liver to the small intestine. In primary sclerosing cholangitis, the bile ducts narrow and harden due to inflammation and ultimately can cause serious liver damage.

Progressive Familial Intrahepatic Cholestasis

Progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis is one of many types of progressive liver diseases that ultimately lead to liver failure.

Ptosis

Ptosis is a drooping eyelid with the upper eyelid falling to a lower position than normal.

Pyloric Stenosis

When the valve is narrowed by thickening of the muscles that make up the pylorus, blocking the passage of food, the condition is known as pyloric stenosis or hypertrophic pyloric stenosis.

Rhabdoid Tumor Predisposition Syndrome

Rhabdoid tumors are abnormal growths that frequently affect the brain, kidneys or spinal cord, among other parts of the body.

Saccular Cysts

The larynx is another term for the voice box in the throat. The saccule is a portion of the larynx that produces mucus to lubricate it. When cysts form in the saccule, they are known as saccular cysts.

Sacrococcygeal Teratoma

A sacrococcygeal teratoma is a tumor containing a number of different tissues (fat, bone, nerves etc.) that is present at birth in the tailbone of the newborn baby.

Sepsis

Sepsis is a complication that can occur in the body’s bloodstream as the result of an infection.

Septate Uterus

A septate uterus is a congenital anomaly of the uterus where a wall of tissue runs down the middle, dividing the uterine cavity into two.

Severe Facial Injuries

Facial injuries involve the face and/or upper jaw and include injuries to the skin, facial bones, nose, sinuses, eye socket or teeth.

Teratoma

A teratoma is a fairly common congenital type of solid tumor that contains normal looking tissues like hair, teeth and bone (and very rarely whole organs).

Testicular Torsion

Each testis is connected to the penis by a spermatic cord which contains blood vessels, nerves, muscles and a tube to carry sperm to the penis. Testicular torsion is the medical term for when a testicle rotates and twists the spermatic cord cutting off its blood supply.

Testicular Tumors

Testicular tumors are growths on the testicle. They occur in infant boys, or after boys enter puberty.

Thyroid Disorders

Please see Thyroid Nodules for further information.

Tracheal Stenosis

The trachea is another name for the windpipe that delivers air to and from the lungs. When the trachea becomes narrow and negatively impacts breathing, this is known as tracheal stenosis.

Tracheoesophageal Fistula

The trachea (windpipe) to the lungs and the esophagus to the stomach are tubes that are normally close to one another but not connected. When tracheoesophageal fistula is present, the two tubes are connected in one or more places, and openings between them can cause problems.