Skip to main content

The Division of Pediatric Surgery at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill performs over 3,000 operations per year in Chapel Hill. These operations and services include:

Adolescent Surgery including Gynecology

All UNC-affiliated Pediatric Surgeons perform gynecologic procedures on patients up to 18 years old. This includes Inflammatory Bowel Disease surgery (ileo-anal pullthrough), laparoscopy and surgery on the ovaries.

ECMO (Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation)

Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation is an advanced technique of cardiopulmonary bypass used to support certain critically ill children outside of an operating room setting. Our specially trained ECMO team has been in place at UNC Hospitals since 1993 and includes Pediatric Intensive Care specialists, Pediatric Surgeons, Respiratory Therapists and ICU nurses.

Fetal Consultations

UNC Pediatric Surgery is part of a multi-disciplinary team involved in the prenatal evaluation and peri-operative care of infants with surgically correctable congenital problems including: congenital lung lesions and masses, cystic hygromas, congenital diaphragmatic hernias, gastroschisis, omphalocoele, intestinal obstructions, congenital tumors and teratomas. Consultations can be arranged with parents to include the Neonatal and Maternal and Fetal Medicine services at UNC. Tours of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (919-966-3481) can also be arranged.

Genital Tract Surgery including Hernias

The evaluation and outpatient surgical treatment of “groin swellings” including hernias, hydrocoeles and undescended testes is routinely performed at UNC-Chapel Hill (919-966-6461).

Head and Neck Surgery

The evaluation and treatment of “head and neck swellings” including neck infections, biopsies, cervical hygromas and teratomas is routinely performed at UNC-Chapel Hill (919-966-3341).

Hepatobiliary, Pancreatic & Splenic Surgery

Congenital and acquired diseases of the liver, gallbladder, bile ducts, spleen and pancreas that might require surgical consultation and correction including: gallstones, liver tumors, biliary atresia, choledochal cyst, splenectomy for ITP, spherocytosis, sickle cell disease, pancreas tumors and pancreatitis. Many of these surgeries, such as gallbladder and spleen removal, can be done with laparoscopic techniques.

Minimally Invasive Surgery including Laparoscopy and Thoracoscopy

The Pediatric Surgical Service in collaboration with the UNC-Chapel Hill/Ethicon Laparoscopy Center is equipped and trained in laparoscopic and thorascopic techniques for selected patients requiring: thorascopic lung biopsy, thorascopic treatment of lung infections, gastroesophageal reflux disease (laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication), laparoscopic splenectomy, laparoscopic cholecystectomy, laparoscopic appendectomy, laparoscopic ovarian surgery, diagnostic laparoscopy and IBD.

Neonatal Surgery

All aspects of the peri-operative and operative care of full-term and premature newborns are provided at UNC. The members of the neonatal, surgical and anesthetic teams have a broad experience with the evaluation and care of babies with congential surgical problems including: congenital lung lesions, congential diaphragmatic hernia, esophageal atresia and tracheoesophageal fistula, necrotizing enterocolitis, neonatal intestinal obstruction and neonatal tumors. Advanced techniques of bronchoscopy, endoscopy, anesthesia (surgery under spinal blocks), and post-operative respiratory management (high-frequency oscillating ventilators, nitric oxide therapy and ECMO) are provided by experienced clinicians.

Non-Cardiac Thoracic Surgery including Lung, Trachea and Esophagus

UNC Pediatric Surgery perform non-cardiac, chest operations for: lung tumors, lung infections, correction of trachea or airway diseases, esophageal atresia and tracheoesophageal fistula and patent ductus arteriosus repair. The Pediatric Cardiac Surgery team (919-966-3381) performs surgery on the heart.

Nutritional and Vascular Access including Central Line, Stoma, Gastrostomy Care

UNC Pediatric Surgery is frequently involved in obtaining feeding (gastrostomy tubes, PEGs, jejunostomy tubes) and/or vascular (Broviac catheters, Port-a-caths) access for pediatric patients. Our team is readily available for issues that arise in the long-term care and maintenance of these devices.

Pectus Excavatum and Carinatum

The evaluation and repair of chest wall deformities is routinely done at UNC-Chapel Hill. In selected patients with pectus excavatum, pediatric surgeons offer a minimally invasive repair, the “Nuss” procedure, at UNC

Short Gut Syndrome

In collaboration with the UNC Pediatric Gastroenterology service (919-966-1522), the UNC Pediatric Surgical team is involved in the long-term care of children with short gut syndrome.

Surgical Critical Care

UNC Pediatric Surgery is experience in the management of infants and children with critical surgical illnesses. We are available at all times for consultations and referrals.

Surgical Oncology and Solid Tumors

With the UNC Pediatric Hematology/Oncology/Bone Marrow Transplant service, the UNC Pediatric Surgery team is part of a multidisciplinary approach to the evaluation and treatment of all types of childhood solid tumors including: hepatoblastoma, neuroblastoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, Wilm’s tumor, sarcomas, Ewing’s tumor and PNET and ovarian tumors. Complex patients are discussed at a weekly multi-specialty Tumor Board. Referrals are generally initiated through the Hematology/Oncology team (919-966-1178).

Trauma

Level One Trauma Care is available to injured children through UNC Pediatric Surgeon and Pediatric Intensivists at UNC. Consultations and referrals are available. Transports, by ground and helicopter, can be arranged through the Carolina Air Care system (919-966-2944).