Our Pediatric Surgical Services

The Division of Pediatric General and Thoracic Surgery at UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh provides comprehensive care to infants and children of all ages with surgical problems.

What Are Pediatric Surgical Services?

Pediatric surgical services include all surgical care provided to infants, children, and teens. It can include:

• Routine procedures like hernia repairs and appendectomies.
• Specialized operations involving the chest, abdomen, urinary tract, and more.

These services meet the unique medical, emotional, and developmental needs of children.

Who Can Benefit from Pediatric Surgical Services? 

Children of every age can benefit from our surgeons' specialized services.

We recognize that children are not just small adults. Our pediatric surgeons are specially trained to care for children. They use child‑specific techniques, equipment, and anesthesia approaches. They’re also skilled at operating on tiny, delicate structures.

Just as important, our surgeons know how to support families and help children feel safe. This specialized expertise leads to safer surgeries, fewer complications, and better outcomes.

What Pediatric Surgery Services Do We Offer?

We provide the services listed below 24 hours a day. Our services include diagnosis, consultation, management, and follow-up for inpatients and outpatients.

• Cancer surgery — UPMC Children’s Hospital is a major referral center for childhood cancer in the region. We have a comprehensive pediatric surgical oncology program.
• Chest wall malformation care — Includes a spectrum of chest wall disorders that range from sunken to protruding. Surgeons at UPMC Children’s provide the two leading procedures to correct chest wall deformities.
• Colorectal care —The Colorectal Center for Children provides multidisciplinary care for infants, children, and teens with complex colorectal conditions.
• Congenital diaphragmatic hernia care — The Center for Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia provides care for this life-threatening condition. We have decades of experience in managing infants and children with CDH.
• Thoracic surgery — Pediatric thoracic surgery generally involves diseases of or injuries to the torso. These are the parts of the body located between the neck and the abdomen. Our surgeons specialize in general pediatric thoracic surgery for congenital and acquired conditions.
• Trauma care — UPMC Children’s is home to the nationally recognized Benedum Pediatric Trauma Program. Our team of trauma surgeons and specialists provides immediate evaluation, consultation, and care.
• Vascular access — Inserting a central line is one of the most common procedures performed at UPMC Children’s. Our surgeons and nurses are experts at central line care.

Referral Requirements

We encourage referrals from primary care physicians or other UPMC Children’s specialty services. However, we accept self-referrals.

If you are enrolled in a managed-care insurance plan, you may need authorization from your insurance provider and a primary care physician. We must receive all necessary referral and authorization forms before the child's visit.*

For accurate provider numbers or more information, please call the office directly at 412-692-7280.

*In some situations, you may be asked to review patient information with a nurse or other medical professional before making any new appointment.