Fetal general surgery
Staff members in the Division of General Pediatric Surgery care for a wide range of problems that can be diagnosed prior to birth. The most common conditions include defects in the abdominal area such as gastroschisis, omphalocele and intestinal atresia and defects in the respiratory system such as lung masses, diaphragmatic hernia and tracheoesophageal fistula. These conditions are diagnosed prenatally through ultrasound. The surgeons that treat patients within this area of medicine are not defined by a single organ system or a single group of diagnoses. Instead, general pediatric surgeons use their wide-ranging skills to treat conditions that require surgery on the head and neck, the chest, abdomen and extremities.
Although treatment does not begin until after birth, the doctors and nurses at Children's Memorial can provide parents with valuable information to help prepare them for their baby's arrival. Parents receive detailed counseling on the condition suspected and discussion of all aspects of possible treatment plans and options for care after birth. Minimally invasive surgery is offered in carefully selected cases where baby requires surgery in the abdominal or chest cavity. More here about minimally invasive surgery.
Find more information about diagnosis and treatment of these conditions in this section.