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Surgery

Pediatric surgeons at Dell Children’s in Central Texas deliver surgical care for infants, children and teens.

Girl in hospital bed.

Pediatric surgery at Dell Children's

ASC badgeWhen surgery is recommended as part of your child’s care plan, you’ll find experienced surgeons at Dell Children’s Medical Center at Ascension Seton that deliver the right care for your family. We are the only Level I Children's Surgical Program in Central Texas designated by the American College of Surgeons. As an American College of Surgeons Surgical Quality Partner, we’re committed to providing the highest quality of surgical care. 

Our pediatric surgeons use the latest and most advanced surgical techniques, including minimally invasive procedures. We have the expertise to deliver advanced surgical care, from common hernia repair to neonatal procedures and highly complex surgical care. At your first consultation, your child’s surgeon starts by listening to better understand you and your child. Then, we work with you and your child’s doctor to create a surgical care plan that’s right for your child.

Ask all of your questions — big and small. Your child’s care team takes the time to explain the procedure to you and to your child in a way they may better understand. We also explain what to expect before surgery and how to care for your child after surgery during their recovery. Certified child life specialists are also part of your child’s care team to help manage fears, stress and other challenges while they are receiving care.

Surgical care, just for children

Your child’s pediatric surgical care team may include pediatric surgeons, anesthesiologists, surgical nurses, child life specialists and more. Whenever possible, we use minimally invasive surgical procedures, which may help shorten your child’s recovery time.

Whenever possible, pediatric surgeons at Dell Children’s recommend minimally invasive procedures as part of your child’s care plan. With this type of procedure, your child’s surgeon uses small incisions, which may help lower risk for complications and may mean a shorter hospital stay and a quicker recovery.

At Dell Children's, multispecialty care teams deliver advanced surgical treatments for:

  • Abdominal conditions
  • Cancer and blood disorders
  • Cardiovascular conditions
  • Endocrine conditions
  • Fetal (congenital) anomalies
  • Gastrointestinal (GI) conditions
  • Genitourinary (genital and urinary) conditions
  • Head and neck conditions
  • Hepatobiliary conditions
  • Thoracic conditions
  • Trauma injuries

Multispecialty surgical care

At Dell Children’s, your child is cared for by a team of surgeons with a wide range of knowledge and experience. And your child will benefit from the care of many different specialists, working together. If your child’s condition is related to another health concern, your child’s care team collaborates with other pediatric specialists at Dell Children’s to deliver comprehensive care that’s right for your child. For your child’s care, your child’s surgeon may work closely with specialists in gastroenterology, pulmonology, hepatology, endocrinology, oncology, cardiology, emergency care and more. Our surgeons are part of many multispecialty surgical programs at Dell Children’s, including:

  • Bowel management program
  • Chest wall program
  • Diaphragmatic hernia program
  • ECMO program
  • Hepatobiliary syndrome program
  • Inflammatory bowel program
  • Short gut program
  • Surgical oncology program
  • Thyroid program

We also work closely with intensive care specialists in the PICU and NICU at Dell Children’s Medical Center – delivering advanced surgical care for some of the tiniest and most vulnerable patients.

Prenatal consultations

Experienced pediatric surgeons at Dell Children’s have the expertise to provide neonatal surgery for newborns, such as diaphragm hernia repair, gastroschisis (intestines to extend outside of the belly) and hepatobiliary atresia (blockage in bile ducts). We work closely with you and your maternal-fetal medicine specialist even before your baby’s birth. We help you better understand your baby’s condition and help you prepare for their surgery before they are born.

If you have been told your baby will need surgical care, talk with your doctor about pediatric surgery at Dell Children’s. And for babies with congenital heart disease who need surgical care, you are connected to pediatric heart surgeons at Dell Children's Texas Center for Pediatric and Congenital Heart Disease.

Committed to providing advanced surgical care 

Dell Children's Medical Center is committed to further advancing care for our patients. As part of the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) Pediatric, we continuously monitor, analyze and improve the safety and quality of care provided to our patients. Using the most accurate data available, we compare ourselves with other leading hospitals, and achieve the highest quality of care for children undergoing surgery.
If your child is experiencing a life-threatening emergency, go directly to the ER or call 911.

Surgery