The pediatric surgeons in the BayCare Kids network offer advanced treatments for many childhood conditions that require surgery. Every day, we help children and families have a better future.
Providing safe, high-quality care is a priority for our team. Every team member, from our surgeons and anesthesiologists to our nurses and technicians, is pediatric-trained and aligned around your child's needs.
We're committed to making surgery less stressful for your child and family. With our compassionate and hands-on approach to care, we take time to talk to you and your child, listen to your concerns and provide reassurance.
Minimally invasive surgery uses tiny instruments inserted through small incisions in the abdomen (laparoscopy) or chest (thoracoscopy). These less invasive approaches are associated with less pain and a faster recovery, compared with traditional open surgery.
Our team includes surgeons who are skilled in robotic-assisted surgery. From a console, the surgeon controls robotic arms and instruments inserted through small incisions.
We use minimally invasive procedures whenever possible, including:
If a concern arises during pregnancy your obstetric team may recommend a consultation with one of our pediatric surgeons. We provide compassionate guidance and coordinate with other team members, including maternal fetal medicine and neonatal intensive care specialists, to plan your baby’s treatment and follow-up care.
If your baby needs surgery after delivery due to a congenital condition or premature birth, we perform operations in our designated level IV - neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). This designation means that we have the facilities and providers, including surgeons, to deliver the most advanced, lifesaving treatment available. Located on the St. Joseph’s Hospital campus, the NICU allows for complex deliveries and neonatal care all in the same place.
Our surgeons stay connected to the latest advances in pediatric surgery and bring them to patients quickly. Innovative techniques we use include:
We work with pediatricians, primary care providers and specialists across the BayCare Kids network to ensure your child gets the care they need. That collaboration may include managing the surgical aspects of your child's condition or performing surgery together.
Specialists we frequently work with include gastroenterologists, urologists, emergency room doctors and intensive care doctors. We also partner with surgeons in other specialty areas, including:
We treat a wide range of conditions that affect children from birth to teens. These conditions may occur during fetal development (congenital abnormalities) or later in life. Whether your child has an issue that’s common or rare and complex, we can help.
Anomalies of the anus and rectum that are present at birth and prevent stool from passing
Inflammation of the appendix that can lead to a dangerous rupture
Blockage of the bile ducts in newborns that can cause liver failure
Structural changes in the chest that can cause it to become sunken (pectus excavatum) or enlarged (pectus carinatum)
Problems in the glands, such as the adrenal glands, that regulate growth, development and many other body functions
Protrusion of an organ through a weakness in the muscle wall, usually in the groin (inguinal hernia) or belly button area (umbilical hernia)
Lack of nerve cells in the large intestine of newborns that prevents stool from passing, causing a blockage
Swelling of the scrotum caused by fluid buildup
Inflammation in the digestive tract, including Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis
A congenital abnormality that occurs when the intestines don't rotate properly during fetal development
Fluid-filled sacs that form in the ovaries
Thickening of the pyloric muscle in infants, which prevents food in the stomach from passing into the small intestine
Growths in soft tissues, such as muscles, tendons and fat, that are usually noncancerous
Growths in soft tissues and organs that can be cancerous or noncancerous
Diseased or malfunctioning spleen due to hemolytic anemia, cirrhosis, immune thrombocytopenia or hereditary spherocytosis
Any childhood injury requiring care through our pediatric emergency centers, which are among the busiest in Florida
A complication of malrotation in which the intestines twist abnormally, blocking digested food and blood from passing through
Our pediatric surgeons are fellowship trained and board certified in pediatric surgery. We specialize in areas such as chest wall malformations, congenital abnormalities, surgical oncology and colon and rectal surgery. Physician assistants and nurse practitioners are also essential members of your child's care team. They help manage your child's care before, during and after surgery.
The pediatric surgery program at BayCare combines the best features of academic and community models of care. Our surgeons are involved in medical education and research collaborations with national organizations. They follow their own patients and provide highly personalized and coordinated care.
It can be overwhelming when your child is sick. Having surgery can add even more stress for you and your child. At BayCare, we work together with your family to prepare for every aspect of surgery, including anesthesia.
Our entire team is dedicated to making your experience as smooth as possible. Whether it’s taking time to explain the procedure or wrapping your child in warm blankets in the operating room, we put your child first at every step.
Child Life Specialists in the BayCare Kids network are available to support you and your child through surgery and recovery. They provide age-appropriate education, so your child knows what to expect and what is expected of them. Learn more about our Child Life program.
As a parent, it's important to encourage your child to ask questions and support them in a calm, gentle manner. We recommend you bring a favorite toy, blanket or stuffed animal to the hospital to help ease their anxiety.
We understand that you may feel uneasy about your child receiving anesthesia, and we aim to put your mind at ease. With advances in provider training, medications and technology, the risk of anesthesia is very low.
Your anesthesiologist will discuss their recommended plan for your child’s surgery with you and how they protect your child’s health. You and your child are part of the decision-making process, and we encourage you to share any questions or concerns you have.
Board-certified pediatric anesthesiologists are available for surgeries in young children and those with complex needs. Pediatric cardiac anesthesiologists also assist when needed due to the complexity of a child’s medical history.
Keeping your child comfortable and minimizing pain after surgery is our top priority. Pain management strategies include:
Your child's care team will provide you with detailed guidance on pain control, which methods to try and when to call for help. We want you to feel prepared and confident when you take your child home.
To make an appointment with a pediatric surgeon, call (813) 554-8384.
