Pediatric surgery is a distinct surgical specialty dedicated to the diagnosis, treatment, and management of surgical conditions in patients from birth (day 0) up to 18 years of age, encompassing both congenital and acquired disorders. It covers a wide spectrum of procedures specifically adapted to the unique anatomical and physiological characteristics of children, which markedly differ from those of adults. Neonatal surgical interventions commonly include the repair of congenital anomalies such as congenital diaphragmatic hernia, anorectal malformations, tracheoesophageal fistula, congenital lung lesions, pyloric stenosis, Hirschsprung disease, and more complex operations like Kasai portoenterostomy for biliary atresia and reconstruction in cases of cloacal exstrophy. In older children, surgeries for conditions such as intussusception, appendicitis, choledochal cysts, hernias, undescended testes, and pulmonary infections (managed via VATS or lobectomy) are frequently performed. Urological anomalies like pelviureteric junction obstruction, vesicoureteral reflux, and posterior urethral valves are also routinely addressed. Additionally, complex reconstructive surgeries for conditions like vaginal agenesis (vaginal reconstruction), bladder augmentation, and gastric pull-up procedures are undertaken. The increasing adoption of minimally invasive techniques, including laparoscopy and thoracoscopy, has contributed to reduced postoperative discomfort, quicker recovery, and superior cosmetic outcomes. Surgical management of pediatric malignancies such as Wilms tumor, neuroblastoma, and teratomas remains a significant component of the specialty. The practice of pediatric surgery is inherently multidisciplinary, requiring close collaboration with pediatricians, anesthesiologists, intensivists, and radiologists to deliver safe, comprehensive, and developmentally appropriate care.
