Pediatric surgery focuses on providing specialized surgical care for newborns, babies, children, adolescents, and young adults. Pediatric surgeons are highly skilled in addressing various surgical needs, including pediatric urology surgeries. They treat conditions involving the urinary and genital systems, ensuring children receive tailored care for issues such as congenital abnormalities, urinary tract obstructions, and other urological disorders from birth through adolescence.

Some conditions are exclusive to or more common in children, and thus, surgical problems faced by pediatric surgeons are generally varied from those treated by general surgeons. Additionally, it is generally difficult for the little ones or the youngsters to convey their symptoms accurately. As a result, pediatric surgeons obtain specialized training to deal with the unique issues that come with operating on children.

Pediatric surgeons are the medical professionals in charge of performing these surgeries after establishing a pre-operative plan based on the patient’s observations. The surgery can be broken down into various separate specialties. General, gynecological, urological, and cardiothoracic operations are among them.

Different types of Pediatric Surgery

In the pediatric age group, surgeries might be loosely classified as major, minor, elective, or urgent. Major surgery includes surgeries on the head and neck, as well as the chest and some abdominal operations. Major surgeries are often quite complicated, and they come with a higher risk of complications, as well as a longer recovery time and hospitalization.

Minor pediatric surgeries are procedures that allow children to return to their normal routines in a reasonably short time after surgery. Excess skin removal, biopsies, and the treatment of lengthy bone fractures are all examples of minor surgical procedures.

Elective surgery refers to procedures that are performed on a child who does not require immediate medical attention, such as circumcision in boys. This means that surgeons can perform the procedure at a later period and take into account the parents’ and guardians’ choices.

Finally, emergency procedures are performed when severe accidents or life-threatening congenital heart problems are diagnosed at birth, as a treatment option that the kid would not survive without.

1.Neonatal Surgery Services

Neonatal Surgery Service at Al ZahraHospital , Dubai covers all diagnostic and surgical management for newborns with surgical illnesses inclusive of birth defects.

Treatment of:

Esophageal atresia

Diaphragmatic hernia

Anorectal malformations

Hirschsproung’s disease

Duodenal and bowel atresia

Malrotation, Volvulus

Pyloric Stenosis

Biliary Atresia, Choledochal cyst

Omphaloceles, Gastroschisis

Hernia & Circumcisions

Cystic hygroma, Hemangiomas

Necrotising enterocolitis

Meconium Ileus

Duplication cyst, Mesenteric cyst, Ovarian cyst

Sacrosoccygeal teratoma

2. Pediatric Surgery Services

Al Zahra Hospital, Dubai  specializes in providing comprehensive surgical care to infants and children of all ages with compassion and warmth. We provide assessment and management to children with general surgical issues in the categories listed below:

1- General Pediatric Surgeries/Procedures/Conditions:

• • Inguinal Hernia Repair – During inguinal hernia surgery, the surgeon will press the protruding tissues back into the abdomen whilst stitching and reinforcing the section of the abdominal wall that contains the abnormality.
  • Epigastric Hernia Treatment – An epigastric hernia is a bulge caused by body tissue bulging through the neighboring muscle in the stomach area. The treatment resolves this issue.
  • Umbilical Hernia Surgery – This is a surgical procedure that corrects umbilical hernias, which are bulges or pouches that form in the abdomen.
  • Thyroglossal Cyst – A thyroglossal duct cyst is a fluid-filled mass or lump in the front of the neck. Surgery is recommended to remove the cyst.
  • Branchial Cyst – A branchial cyst, also known as a branchial cleft cyst, is a cavity present at birth on one side of the neck.
  • Dermoid Cyst – It forms when tissue accumulates beneath the skin and is usually present at birth. Hair, teeth, or nerves may be present in these cysts.
  • Thyroid and Parathyroid Surgery – Thyroid surgery, often known as thyroidectomy, is the surgical excision of all or portions of the thyroid gland. The surgical removal of one or more parathyroid glands is referred to as parathyroid surgery or parathyroidectomy.
  • Salivary Gland Surgery – The human body has three pairs of main salivary glands: parotid, submandibular, and sublingual. There are several types of salivary gland surgeries, depending on which gland and what the condition is.
  • Hemangioma – Hemangiomas, also known as infantile hemangiomas, are noncancerous blood vessel growths. They are the most prevalent tumors or growths in kids.
  • Lymphangiomas (Cystic Hygroma) – Lymphangiomas, or lymphatic malformations, are fluid-filled cysts that emerge in lymphatic vessels and are noncancerous.

2- Pediatric Gastro-Intestinal Surgeries/Procedures/Conditions:

• • Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Surgery (Fundoplication) – Fundoplication is one of the most popular operations done to treat heartburn caused by gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
  • Bowel Obstruction – A bowel obstruction is a severe condition that occurs when something obstructs your bowels, possibly the large or small intestine.
  • Intussusception – Intussusception is a medical emergency in which the intestine is obstructed. If not treated, it can be fatal.
  • Foreign Body Ingestion and Complication – Although the majority of ingested foreign bodies pass normally, significant consequences such as intestinal perforation and obstruction can occur. Thus, medical intervention is required.
  • Feeding Gastrostomy (MicKey’s Gastrostomy Button) – A Mic-Key button is a low-profile instrument that enables kids to get meals, fluids, and medicine straight into their stomachs.
  • Hirschsprung’s Disease – Hirschsprung’s disease is a birth defect in which parts of the intestine lack nerves.

In addition to the above, the hospital has expertize in treatment for Constipation (fewer than three bowel movements a week), anal fissure (a small tear in the lining of the anus), anal fistula (an infected tunnel between the skin and the anus), and anal polyp (a small growth of excess tissue in the anus).

3. pediatric Thoracic surgeries

• Decortication – Decortication is a surgical treatment that removes fibrous tissue that has developed abnormally on the surface of the lung, chest wall, or diaphragm.
• Lung Cyst Surgery – Lung cysts are sacs of tissue filled with air or fluid, which are treated by surgical methods.
• Bronchoscopy Foreign Body Removal – Foreign body aspiration is more common in youngsters due to natural curiosity throughout the oral phase, as well as laughing, crying, and playing during meals. Bronchoscopy is a diagnostic procedure that allows doctors to examine the lungs and airways.

4. Pediatric Oncosurgeries for

• Wilms’ Tumor – Wilms’ tumor is a rare type of kidney cancer that affects mostly children.
• Neuroblastoma – Neuroblastoma is a type of cancer that arises from immature nerve cells present throughout the body.
• Hepatoblastoma – Hepatoblastoma is an uncommon tumor that begins in the liver cells.
• Teratoma – A teratoma is a form of tumor that has fully grown tissues and organs such as hair, teeth, muscle, and bone.

5. Pediatric Hepato-Biliary Surgeries for

• Biliary Atresia – Biliary atresia is an obstruction in the ducts that transport bile from the liver to the gallbladder.
• Choledochal Cyst – A choledochal cyst is a birth defect in the duct (tube) that distributes bile from the liver to the gall bladder and small intestine.
• Liver Cyst and Abscess – The term cyst refers to a collection of fluid encircled by a lining that produces the fluid. While a collection of pus is referred to as an abscess.
• Gallbladder Surgery – The surgical removal of the gallbladder is known as cholecystectomy and it is used to treat gallstones and other gallbladder problems.
• Splenectomy – A splenectomy is a surgical operation that removes the spleen partially or fully.
• Pancreatectomy – A pancreatectomy is the surgical removal of the pancreas completely or in part.
• Pseudocyst Surgery – A pancreatic pseudocyst is a fluid-filled sac made up of pancreatic enzymes, blood, and necrotic (dead) tissue that develops in the abdomen. If the pseudocyst continues to expand and cause pain, surgery to drain it may be required.

6. Minimally-Invasive Surgical Solutions

The hospital has clinicians that are experts in performing minimally invasive surgeries and utilise techniques such as Laparoscopy, Pneumo-Vesicoscopy, Retroperitoneoscopy and Single Incision Laparoscopic Surgery (SILS) for various disorders present in children.

• Laparoscopic Interventions : These are done for appendectomy, gall bladder removal, choledochal cyst excision, undescended testis , hernia, intestinal surgeries, magnet/ battery induced intestinal complications, splenectomy, antireflux surgery( fundoplication), ovarian cyst excision, Pyeloplasty, nephrectomy, ureteric reimplantation, and more.
• Retro-peritoneoscopic Interventions – nephrectomy, pyelolithotomy, pyeloplasty & more.
• Pneumo-vesicoscopic Interventions – Ureteric reimplantation, diverticulectomy & more.
• Single Incision Laparoscopic Surgery(SILS) – appendectomy, cholecystectomy (gall bladder removal), ovarian cyst excision & more..

Kids are more than just young adults. However, they may not always be able to express what is bothering them. Also, they may not always be able to answer medical queries or be calm and cooperative during a medical check. This is why pediatric surgeons are skilled in examining and treating children in a way that makes them feel comfortable and compliant.

If your pediatrician recommends that your kid should see a pediatric surgeon, you may be rest assured that he or she has the most thorough and full training, as well as the most experience dealing with children and treating surgical illnesses.

Pediatric Urology

Pediatric urology is a surgical specialization of medicine that deals with genitourinary system disorders in children. Pediatric urologists treat both boys and girls from birth to the early adult years. A pediatric urologist is a physician who specializes in the treatment of children with urinary or genital disorders. Pediatric urologists can treat disorders that arise in the urinary system of a newborn, youngster, or adolescent, including the kidneys, bladder, urethra, and genital tract.

What is the role of a Pediatric Urologist?

These doctors are skilled to treat a wide variety of genital anomalies (growths or inappropriate positioning of the genitals on the body) as well as groin issues such as varicocele (swelling of veins in the scrotum).

Pediatric urologists are skilled to recognize issues and pain in children that are difficult to express by children. Our pediatric urologists evaluate, diagnose, and treat urology and genital disorders in children in a comfortable and relaxed setting. Our facilities are designed in a child-friendly manner, with toys, books, and entertainment, so that children do not feel frightened and are in a calm state of mind before undergoing any treatment.

Reasons to Consult a Pediatric Urologist

Urinary tract infections and genitalia adhesions (tissue that connects sections of the genitals) are minor pediatric urology concerns that can be treated by your child’s pediatrician or primary care doctor. However, if more severe issues arise, you should consult a pediatric urologist. The following are examples of situations that require an appointment:

• • Groin or scrotum hernias
  • Swelling of the testicles (hydroceles)
  • Bladder control issues and daytime accidents
  • Undescended testicles (testicles that have not dropped by the age of 12 to 18 months)
  • Stones in the kidneys or bladder
  • Children and teenagers who wet the bed
  • Urinary tract infections that recur with a high fever (pyelonephritis or pyelonephritis.

If your child has more serious issues, your pediatrician may refer him or her to a pediatric urologist.

What to Expect at a Pediatric Urologist’s Consultation?

Your child might expect a standard medical evaluation at their initial visit with a pediatric urologist. Your child’s medical history will be discussed with the pediatric urologist through questions. They will advise you on the best course of action to undertake in order to help your child recover from his or her illness. The following could be the next steps:

• • Urinary tract X-ray imaging
  • Kidney and/or bladder ultrasound
  • Urine stream testing
  • Kidney imaging with low-dose radiation

Pediatric Urology Services at Al Zahra Hospital

Fakeeh University Hospital provides comprehensive evaluation, diagnosis, and management for children suffering from the disease of the genitals and urinary tract (kidneys, ureters, bladder), with utmost care and compassion.

Our Services

Treatment of Groin Conditions

• Undescended Testes – When a testicle fails to drop into its natural position in the scrotum, it is known as undescended.
• Hydrocele – A hydrocele happens when fluid gathers in the scrotum and leads it to swell.
• Inguinal Hernia – A hernia arises when an organ pushes through an opening in the muscle or tissue that keeps it in place.
• Varicocele – An enlargement of the veins within the scrotum.

Treatment of Voiding Disorders

• Neurogenic Bladder – children with neurogenic bladder lacks bladder control as a result of a brain, spinal cord, or nerve condition.
• Nocturnal Enuresis – Bedwetting
• Mixed Incontinence – Mixed incontinence is a mix of urge and stress incontinence.
• Hyperactive Bladder Syndrome – In this condition, the need to urinate is frequent and abrupt, and it might be difficult to control.

Urinary Tract Infections(UTI) – An infection of the urinary system, including the kidneys, bladder, and  urethra.

Vesicoureteral Reflux (VUR) – Vesicoureteral reflux is when the flow of urine goes the wrong way.

Surgical Reconstruction of the Urinary Tract

• Hypospadias – A condition in which the mouth of the penis lies on the bottom rather than the tip. Single stage and redo Hypospadias repair is done with high success rate.
• Pyeloplasty – Pyeloplasty is a surgical procedure used to treat ureteropelvic junction (PUJ) obstruction. We offer state of the art mini-laparoscopic Pyeloplasty with barely visible scars and smooth early recovery
• Ureteric Reimplantation – It is a surgical procedure used to rectify the tubes that link the bladder to the kidneys. At Al Zahra hospital,Dubai children are offered state of the art Vesicoscopic Ureteric Reimplantation
• Exstrophy Bladder – It is a congenital condition in which the bladder and its surrounding organs form inside out.
• Augmentation Cystoplasty – It is a surgical procedure performed on adults and children who do not have adequate bladder capacity or detrusor compliance.
• Genital Abnormalities – In boys, genital defects can affect the penis, scrotum, or testes, while in girls, they can affect the vagina and labia. The genitals are sometimes ambiguous, that is, they are not clearly female or male.
• Disorders of Sex Development – Disorders of Sex Development are a diverse group of congenital conditions characterized by atypical development of internal and external genitalia.

Treatments related to the Kidney, Ureter & Bladder Cancers

At Al Zahra Hospital, Dubai we handle all types of tumors and malignancies of the kidney, bladder, and testis.

Antenatally Diagnosed Disorders: Like hydronephrosis, a condition characterized by an excess of fluid in the kidney as a result of urine back-up; kidney cysts that are fluid-filled sacs that form in the kidneys; duplex anomalies, which is marked by an incomplete fusion of upper and lower pole moieties, leading to a variety of partial or complete collecting system duplications; and ureteroceles, are all treated at the hospital.

Endourological Procedures: Are performed at the hospital too, like the posterior urethral valve (PUV) ablation, endoscopic anti-reflux injections (STING), diagnostic cystoscopy, urethroscopy, ureterocele treatment, and more.

Minimally-invasive Procedures: The hospital has clinicians that are masters in minimally invasive urology procedures like LAPAROSCOPY for undescended testis & varicocele treatment pyeloplasty,  VESICOSCOPIC ureteric reimplantation, ureterolithotomy, nephrectomy, and more.

Advanced Diagnostics & more: The above treatments are conducted along with urodynamic studies like video urodynamic and uroflowmetry. We also have uro-radiology services like the MCUG, MR UROGRAPHY, and Nuclear Medicine Scans such as DMSA, MAG3, DTPA.

Pediatric urologists are trained to care for children and will do everything possible to make your child’s experience as seamless as possible. However, it can be difficult to know when to take your child to a pediatric urologist. When urinary problems recur, make an appointment with your child’s pediatrician and then look into pediatric urologist options.