Pediatric surgery
Pediatric surgery is the surgical treatment of illnesses and other medical issues in children, from infancy throughout adolescence and into young adulthood. Oftentimes we are able to offer minimally invasive or robot-assisted procedures, such as endoscopy and laparoscopy.
Pediatric surgical care in Las Vegas
We do our best to make surgery less overwhelming for your child and for you.
The surgery program at Sunrise Children's Hospital offers family-centered care from an established team of experts. Our facility also features specialized, kid-friendly equipment.
Text updates during surgery
Your family can receive updates during your procedure via text message. This service is designed to support your family and help them receive information as quickly as possible.
Your family can receive updates during your procedure via text message. This service is designed to support your family and help them receive information as quickly as possible.
Related specialties
Learn more about our related specialties.
Our pediatric surgery services
We are dedicated to providing safe treatments for various conditions. Once we complete a diagnosis, we will work with you to decide on the right surgery for your child.
Features of our surgical program
During your child's care, we allow you to stay with them until they leave for the operating room. We want to make sure they feel safe and secure throughout the process.
We offer many other ways to help your child feel comfortable, including:
- Fun ways for your child to "drive" themselves to surgery through one of our tricycles, motorized cars or rolling beds
- Options to choose the scent of anesthesia from a variety of flavors, such as cherry, bubble gum and Dr. Pepper
- Playroom where your child can enjoy toys, video games, movies and more before surgery
- Special, cozy gowns that feel like pajamas
Procedures performed by our pediatric surgeons
Our trained team of surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, and certified nursing assistants (CNAs) provide comprehensive surgery services at our hospital. Many different types of surgeries are offered based on your condition.
Balloon sinuplasty
Balloon sinuplasty is a minimally invasive technology to relieve pain and pressure associated with chronic sinus inflammation.
During this procedure, a specially designed catheter is inserted into the nose to reach the inflamed sinus. A small balloon is slowly inflated, which widens and restructures without cutting. The balloon is then removed, leaving the sinuses open.
This procedure is less invasive than conventional sinus surgery and allows for a quick return to normal activities. It also eliminates much of the discomfort associated with routine sinus surgery, such as scarring, bleeding and severe pain. This procedure can even prevent the reoccurrence of the disease.
Heart surgery
Our pediatric cardiology program is designed to treat various congenital heart conditions that may occur during pregnancy or after birth. These include heart arrhythmias and conditions affecting blood flow to the lungs.
In some cases, surgery may be required when a heart condition cannot be repaired using other treatments. You can be confident that your child's surgery is in the hands of experienced cardiology surgeons and dedicated medical staff.
Robot-assisted surgery
At our hospital, we conduct surgeries using minimally invasive, robot-assisted techniques. Benefits of robotic surgery can include:
- Faster recovery
- Less postoperative pain
- Reduced scarring
- Shorter hospital stays
Ureteral reimplantation surgery
Ureteral reimplantation is used to treat reflux, a condition in which urine from the bladder is able to flow back up into the kidneys through the tubes that connect the kidneys with the bladder. The surgery changes the position of the tubes during the point where they join the bladder to stop urine from backing up into the kidneys. Our experienced pediatric urology surgeons, who specialize in conditions of the urinary tracts and reproductive organs of children, will perform your child's surgery.
How ureteral reimplantation works
Surgery to correct reflux consists of changing the way the ureter connects to the bladder, by creating a new tunnel into the bladder. During the procedure, the doctor reimplants the ureter to fix its connection to the bladder.
Some information to know includes:
- Your child's surgery will be done under general anesthesia, which means that they will be asleep during the surgery.
- In addition to the general anesthesia, your child may receive caudal anesthesia, which provides pain relief in the area below the waist.
Your child will stay in the hospital for one or two days after the surgery. If your child needs specialized care, our dedicated pediatric intensive care (PICU) staff will provide care.
What to expect before, during and after surgery
Prior to your child's scheduled procedure, you need to preregister. A representative from our admission and registration department will contact you before your child's scheduled surgery to complete your telephone preregistration.
Preoperative appointment
Following your phone call, you are required to come in and meet with a nurse in the pre-admission center. To shorten your wait time, we recommend you call ahead and make an appointment for this visit.
Please bring the following with you to your scheduled preoperative appointment:
- Check, cash or charge for co-pays
- Guardianship papers, if you are not the biological parent
- Insurance card
- Physician order or any paperwork from physicians
- Picture ID
Day of your child's surgery
Your physician will let you know when you need to arrive. At pre-admission you will be instructed exactly where to report on the day of surgery. For your peace of mind, it is important to leave all valuables, such as money, jewelry, or any article of unusual value or small size, at home. You should only bring items that are needed while at the facility. To make your child feel more comfortable, you can bring a special toy, blanket or favorite stuffed animal.
Once the procedure begins, you will be able to monitor the progress on the monitor available in the surgery waiting room. When your child is back from surgery and awake in the recovery room, you can join them as they recover.
Food and drink
No food or drink, including water, is allowed from midnight the night before your child's surgery until after your procedure unless your physician writes specific orders otherwise. Food and drink for visitors is only allowed in the waiting room and will not be allowed in the preoperative or recovery room.
Check with your physician regarding daily medicines your child takes. Your child may be allowed to take these medications with sips of water. The physician may make written exceptions for infants and children. Make sure your child drinks any special solutions ordered by their doctor to prepare them for certain procedures. If your child is unable to drink this solution, notify your physician.
What your child should wear
Your child should be comfortable in loose-fitting clothing. Contact lenses, makeup or lotions should not be worn, and valuables should be left at home. Make sure to bring a list of any medications your child is taking, along with dosages.
Information for minors
If your child is under 18 years old, they must have a parent or legal guardian present to sign consent forms. You will need to remain in the lobby or waiting area during the procedure. You must be available for questions and to receive a report directly from the doctor immediately following the procedure. If you are a legal guardian, please bring your guardianship papers with you on the day of surgery.
Visitors during surgery
Siblings under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult at all times and will not be allowed in the preoperative room or recovery room. Siblings under 18 may wait with an adult in our waiting room.
Plans for discharge
Unless your child is staying overnight, they will remain in a recovery area until discharged by the physician. Televisions are available while your child is recovering. A parent or guardian must be able to drive your child home after their procedure. For outpatient surgery, your child may be discharged within a few hours of their procedure. They may still be sleepy at the time of discharge and should plan on going home and resting for the remainder of the day.
Discharge instructions
You will be given a written copy of the discharge instructions to help your child once they are home. We also have a Walgreens Pharmacy on site that allows us to have your prescriptions filled and delivered to you in the recovery area.
Case management
Our case management department is made up of a dedicated team of registered nurses to assist you, your family and your physician, in developing your discharge plan. If your physician orders home care services or equipment, we will be available to assist you.