At Mediclinic City Hospital, we provide minimally invasive surgical services for infants, children and adolescents using the daVinci Xi robot-assisted surgical system. This system is well-suited for complex intra-abdominal procedures and reconstructive urological surgery.
In the paediatric population satisfaction is not merely based on patient satisfaction and outcomes, but also related to parental satisfactions. In regard to specific variables such as postoperative pain, speed to normal activity, speed of return to normal sports, surgery incision scar, impact of surgery on parental life, burden of postop visits/studies, and overall satisfaction, parents find a greater difference between results of robotic assisted surgery when compared to open surgery.
At Mediclinic City Hospital, our team of experienced surgeons can assist children in the below areas:
Paediatric gynecological pathologies such as :
- Adnexal pathologies: An adnexal mass is a growth that occurs in or near the uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes, and the connecting tissues. These are a common clinical finding and may present symptomatically or incidentally. Diagnosis of adnexal tumours involves a careful physical exam, imaging tests and, sometimes, surgery.
- Ovarian cystectomy: An ovarian cyst is an abnormal fluid-filled sac on the inside of the female reproductive organ caused by normal body processes. Most ovarian cysts are not serious and cause no symptoms and may go away on their own. In rare cases, a doctor may drain or remove the cyst with surgery if it poses significant risk to the patient’s health. Treatment for an ovarian cyst depends on the cyst’s size and severity.
- Oophorectomy: The surgical removal of one or both of the ovaries is referred to as an oophorectomy. An oophorectomy may be a necessary surgical procedure in the event of:
- Ovarian cancer
- Non-cancerous ovarian tumors/cysts
- Reducing the risk of ovarian cancer for those at an increased risk
- Ovarian torsion- the twisting of an ovary
- Exploration for suspected pelvic malformation
Paediatric urological cases such as :
- Pyeloplasty: This operation removes a blockage that is keeping urine from reaching the bladder. In most cases, pyeloplasty physically cuts out a blocked part of the tube for urine (called the ureter). These blockages often happen right where the urine leaves the kidney to go down the tube toward the bladder due to an abnormality in how the tube developed. This area is called the uretero-pelvic junction, or the UPJ.
- Nephrectomy/ hemi nephrectomy: Nephrectomy is the word for removal of the kidney. A partial nephrectomy means that part of the kidney will be taken out, but part will be left in the body. This is only done if the healthy part of the kidney can keep making and sending urine down to the bladder through an attached, healthy urine tube. Total nephrectomy means that an entire kidney is taken out of the body. Total nephrectomy is done if the kidney does not work well enough or if there is a large tumour (mass) in the kidney that must be removed. The surgeon will tie off the blood supply to the kidney and the urine tube that goes to the bladder. Then he or she will take out the entire kidney and its attached urine tube.
- Ureteral re implantation for vescico ureteral reflux: Ureteral preimplantation is used to treat reflux. A condition in which urine from the bladder is able to flow back up into the kidneys through the tubes that connect the kidneys with the bladder. The surgery changes the position of the tubes at the point where they join the bladder to stop urine from backing up into the kidneys.
Paediatric surgical pathologies:
- Fundoplication for GE reflux: Fundoplication is recommended for children who have complications or persistent symptoms related to gastroesophageal reflux (GER) that are not improved by medication. The goal of a fundoplication is to prevent stomach contents from returning to the oesophagus. This operation is an accomplished by wrapping the upper portion of the stomach around the lower portion of the oesophagus, tightening the outlet of the oesophagus as it empties into the stomach.
- Right diaphragmatic hernia repair: Diaphragmatic hernia is a birth defect where there is a hole in the diaphragm (the large muscle that separates the chest from the abdomen). Organs in the abdomen (such as intestines, stomach or liver) can move through the hole in the diaphragm and upwards into a baby’s chest. When an organ pushes through the hole, it is called a hernia. This can affect the right side of the diaphragm or the left side.
- Cholecystectomy: The primary reason for cholecystectomy is gallstones and pain. Gallstones are small rocks that form inside the gallbladder. Gallstones can block the release of bile out of the gallbladder. This blockage can cause pain and jaundice (yellow skin colour). If your child has these problems his or her primary care doctor or nurse may recommend a visit with a paediatric surgeon. Because gallstones cannot be removed without taking out the gallbladder both the stones and the gallbladder are removed at the time of the operation.