Oyemade Olusola M.D.

Most often, children are given a light form of general anesthesia so they experience less anxiety. Also, it is the safest way to perform most surgeries on children.

Gallbladder obstruction in infants and young children, or Cholelithiasis, is usually caused by pigmented stones resulting from blood disorders. Treatment options for children include Laparoscopic cholecystectomy or removal of the gallbladder.

Gastroschisis is a birth defect of the abdominal wall. The baby’s intestines protrude to the outside of the abdomen during intrauterine life. The newborn babies with this condition typically require surgery.

Imperforate anus is a congenital abnormality where there is either no anal opening or the opening is misplaced. The doctor may conduct a pull-through surgery to create a new anus and connect it to the rectum.

Frequent tonsillitis can enlarge the tonsils, which in turn block the airway and cause obstructive sleep problems in children. Surgical removal of the tonsils can help alleviate these problems and improve the child’s quality of life.

Gastroschisis is a congenital defect wherein the intestines of the newborn protrude outside of the body. This condition occurs in about one in every 5,000 births and requires surgery immediately after birth.

Regarded as the father of pediatric surgery, William E. Ladd was known for his work during the 1917 Halifax Explosion in Nova Scotia, Canada. Ladd treated thousands of patients, hundreds of which were children who suffered major burns and lacerations.

Did you know that birth defects are the fifth most common cause of death in children below 5 years of age worldwide? Fortunately, many of these defects can be addressed through surgery.

In the US, one in every 1,700 babies is born with a cleft palate. While the condition is not fatal, surgical repair of cleft palate is advised within the first year of birth to prevent speaking and feeding problems.

During surgery in children, it is not unusual to administer regional anesthesia on top of the general anesthesia. This is done to decrease post-operative pain and reduce the need for narcotic painkillers. It also minimizes discomfort and helps hasten recovery.

Surgery is not only vital for correcting congenital anomalies, but it also helps in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer in children. Through surgery, suffering can be minimized and more children’s lives saved.

If your child suffers from recurrent tonsil infections, a tonsillectomy may be the best approach. Not only can it save your child from repeated infections, but it can also prevent permanent damage to the heart valves caused by the same bacteria that causes tonsillitis.

Many babies that require surgery have an inborn defect or disorder that needs to be corrected right away, some within the first hour of birth. It takes a qualified pediatric surgeon who has extensive knowledge of a baby’s anatomy and physiology.

Because children are highly sensitive to dehydration, fluid management is an essential part of the care for a child undergoing surgery. Specialized surgeons are needed for the job because they have extensive knowledge of fluid physiology in children.

According to the WHO, there are about 1.7 billion children and adolescents who do not have access to surgical care worldwide. Most of these children live in developing countries, and only 8% of them have access to surgical care.

What time should you arrive for surgery? Plan to arrive at the hospital at least 45 to 90 minutes before the scheduled surgery time, unless your doctor says otherwise.

What is minimally invasive surgery? It refers to a surgical technique that does not require a large incision. It is a surgical approach that allows your child to recover faster and with less pain.

Your child may experience some amount of pain even at seven days after a tonsillectomy or adenoidectomy. Thus, your doctor will prescribe pain medication for an appropriate length of time.

Who is known as the father of pediatrics in America? If you’ve guessed Dr. Abraham Jacobi, then you’re right! He was a German pediatrician who came to New York in 1853 and made several contributions to the field of pediatric health.

When can you hold your baby after surgery? Your child may have several tubes and wires attached after surgery. Some of those tubes, especially the breathing tube, need to be removed before it is safe to hold your baby.

How long does your child need to stay in the hospital after surgery? It depends on the surgical procedure and your child’s recovery. However, if your child is having an outpatient procedure, you may expect to go home the same day.

Some problems in newborn babies must be surgically corrected right away. For example, gastroschisis is a birth defect that requires surgery within the first hour following birth.

What is outpatient surgery? It is a same-day surgery that doesn’t require an overnight hospital stay. Some of these procedures include tonsillectomies, hernia repairs, and appendectomies.

Coughs are common after a tonsillectomy or adenoidectomy. This mainly happens after the first several hours of surgery due to having a breathing tube during surgery.

When it comes to surgery, babies have very unique needs because of their small size and rapidly changing metabolism. Thus, there are very specific guidelines for medication dosing, pain management, anesthesia, wound care, hypothermia prevention, feeding, and recovery.