Clinical Expertise

Our pediatric surgical faculty members at UCI School of Medicine are skilled in treating a wide range of congenital conditions affecting the gastrointestinal tract. These include repairs of tracheoesophageal fistulas; esophageal, small bowel and colonic atresias; pyloric stenoses; and anorectal malformations. When appropriate, defects are repaired using minimally invasive laparoscopic techniques. Long-term follow-up is done at Children’s Health of Orange County Multidisciplinary Colorectal Clinic.

UCI School of Medicine pediatric surgeons are responsible for the management of congenital diaphragmatic hernias, typically achieving initial stabilization within days of birth, followed by either minimally invasive thoracoscopic repair or open repair transabdominally. We also treat inguinal and umbilical hernias, using either open or laparoscopic techniques, both of which are typically performed as outpatient procedures.

In addition, our team is responsible for managing omphaloceles and gastroschises. For both these conditions, repair is performed immediately postnatally if possible. Treatment is delayed for large or complex omphaloceles, using the Schuster technique or component separation method. Similarly, for large gastroschises, a silo may be required to protect herniated organs as they are slowly inserted back, followed by delayed repair either with sutures or as a sutureless closure.

The pediatric surgical faculty at UCI School of Medicine treats several other congenital conditions. For example, our surgeons perform thoracoscopic removal of congenital cystic adenomatoid (pulmonary) malformations (usually when the infant is around 3 to 6 months old), resection of sacrococcygeal teratomas and repair of pectus excavatum using the minimally invasive Nuss procedure.

UCI School of Medicine pediatric surgeons perform fundoplication for the surgical management of pediatric gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Depending on the child’s age, laparoscopic or robotic surgery can be undertaken. In addition, we are experienced in managing achalasia and esophageal motor disorders using minimally invasive methods, including Heller or peroral endoscopic myotomies with partial fundoplication to prevent post-myotomy GERD. 

Our pediatric surgeons have experience performing laparoscopic small bowel resections with intracorporeal anastomoses for a range of conditions affecting neonates up to older children, such as obstructions, strictures, benign masses and malignancies. We surgically manage inflammatory bowel disease and biliary tract disease, and we place percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy feeding tubes and treat appendicitis.

Other conditions that pediatric surgeons from the UCI School of Medicine faculty manage include pediatric trauma and cancers, palmar hyperhidrosis and orchiopexy.