Pediatric Surgery

The Pediatric Surgery Department of our hospital is among the number of health institutions with its equipment and staff of specialists in this field. Pediatric surgery, which requires great expertise and sensitivity, is successfully performed in our hospital. According to the frequency of application in the Pediatric Surgery Unit of Türkiye Hospital, the following operations are performed for diagnosis and treatment purposes:

• Hypospadias (Prophetic circumcision, half-circumcision)
• Undescended testicle
• Inguinal hernia, hydrocele
• Circumcision (under general anaesthetic)
• Neonatal circumcision
• Cystoscopy (for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes)
• Urinary tract strictures
• Vesicoureteral reflux (escaping back of urine from the bladder to the kidneys)
• surgeries
• Cyst and tumors for the abdomen
• Operations on the genitals of children
• Surgery to correct various congenital abnormalities of newborn babies

What is Pediatric Surgery?

Pediatric surgery, a branch of surgical fields, is the specialty that performs surgical diagnosis and treatment of the disorders of babies from the moment they are born until the age of 16. Pediatric surgery is a department that is different from normal surgeries. People who study medical school for six years receive specialty training in pediatric surgery for six years after completing medical school. 

It covers surgical interventions to solve congenital or acquired problems in children's bodies.

It works in partnership with other specialties such as pediatric surgery, neonatal unit, intensive care, general surgery, pediatrics, anesthesia, oncology, and trauma. Pediatric surgery may differ according to the age and health problems of children. For example, surgical approaches for newborn babies may be evaluated differently.

Pediatric surgery, taking into account the features of the growth and development process of children, takes a careful, meticulous, and delicate approach so as not to adversely affect the future state of health of children.

Which Diseases Does Pediatric Surgery Cover?

Pediatric surgery is a surgical unit with many treatments in emergencies (burns, accidents, etc.) and outpatient and inpatient treatments.  It can be childhood diseases or physical or mental disorders. These diseases occur depending on the physical or psychological development of children. 

1. Childhood Respiratory System Diseases

Respiratory system diseases in childhood can occur for various reasons, some of which are life-threatening. Some of them are:

1. • Foreign body entering the trachea: Sometimes, children tend to bite or swallow when they play or see an object that attracts their attention, or unlike these, they may slip food into the trachea while eating. Such conditions lead to obstruction of the trachea and difficulty in breathing. If the object cannot be removed, pediatric surgery may need to intervene.
2. • Diseases of the trachea: These cause inflammation or enlargement.
3. • Lung Infections: It causes inflammation of the lungs, difficulty breathing, coughing, and wheezing.
   • Lung Diseases: The deterioration of lung function in children. An example is asthma.
4. • Diseases of the rib cage: Chest diseases known as pectus excavatum and pigeon chest are disorders that require the specialty of pediatric surgery.

2. Childhood Digestive System Diseases

Diseases of the digestive system refer to the requirements related to the esophagus, stomach, and intestines.

Appendicitis, esophageal strictures, small/large intestinal obstructions, stomach stenosis, constipation, rectal disorders, damages caused by drinking flammable or caustic substances, inguinal hernia, umbilical hernia, polyp formation, pancreas and spleen problems are some of the childhood digestive system diseases.

3. Childhood Urinary System Diseases

Urinary system diseases are among the common health problems in childhood. These diseases, which affect the quality of life of children, can lead to permanent kidney damage or cause various infectious diseases if not treated.

The symptoms of urinary tract infections that worry parents are often quick. Symptoms include a burning/stinging sensation when urinating, pain, sometimes itching, frequent urination, urinary incontinence, and low urine output. Other urinary system diseases include undescended testis, hydronephrosis, voiding disorder, ureteropelvic stenosis, ureterovesical stenosis, ureterocele, enuresis, stone problems, posterior urethral valve, vesicoureteral reflux, bladder problems, urinary incontinence, adherence of the foreskin.

4. Childhood Cancer Diseases

Childhood cancers result from abnormal growth and proliferation of cells in organs or lymph during the growth and development process of children. The most common types of cancer are Leukemia (abnormal growth of blood cells), lymphoma (lymph node cancer), brain tumor types, and bone cancers. Cancers can spread to different tissues and organs.

The treatment process varies according to the child's age, the type of cancer, and the spread level. These factors are essential for the outcome of treatment. Surgical methods, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy are applied in the cancer process.

5. Hormone Disorders in Children

Hormonal disorders in children result from excessive secretion or abnormal production of the hormone in the child's body. As with other diseases, the age, gender, and hormone levels of the child determine the treatment method and approaches. Although drug therapy is mainly applied in hormone treatments, a surgical procedure may be required. These diseases are diseases of the thyroid gland, adrenal gland, and pancreas.

6. Head and Neck Surgery in Children

Head and neck surgery in children deal with the treatment and surgical operations by examining the symptoms such as swelling, inflammation, or mass that occur in connection with the congenital or acquired thyroid, muscles, larynx, and other tissues.

Childhood diseases are an issue that should not be neglected from the moment they are noticed. Sometimes congenital or later onset childhood diseases may adversely affect children's physical and psychological health in the future. What is important here is the timely recognition of the disease and the proper treatment approach. Parents should do their best to support the development process of their children and always observe their babies and children.

In addition to these, following infancy and childhood vaccinations and getting them done on time, ensuring that they grow up in a clean and hygienic environment, and giving their children healthy eating habits are among the most critical measures that can be taken for many diseases.