Today, endoscopic surgical procedures, or more popularly known as the keyhole (closed) surgical techniques are used in managing more and more disease in differnet medical specialities and by many centers. In order to perform these procedures, the surgeon need specially developed optical systems, imaging devices and surgical tools. These instruments, ranging from 2-3mm diameter 10-12mm with a few holes (incisions) are placed into related body cavities through the surgical procedures.

The data obtained from centers with adequate equipment and specialized team support that this method contributes an accelerated healing process, reduces length of hospital stay, and has better cosmetic result. In recent years, single port surgery which includes placing a single device (port) having capability of multipl instrument carriage into body cavities, or a limited number of robotic surgery are applied in certain pediatric cases. Two endoscopic surgical techniques which are important for our field of expertise are outlined below.

2. Endoscopic Surgery for Chest (Thoracoscopic Surgery)

Thoracoscopic surgery particularly concerning the endoscopic surgery, are used in the diagnosis of some diseases related to both chest cavity and organs/ tissues located within the chest such as lungs, thymus, lymph nodes as well as in their management. Some of these are listed below.

• Infection of chest cavity (empyema)
• Chest wall disorders / Cobblers breast (pectus excavatum)
• Lung cysts and tumors
• Diseases of hymus gland
• Diseases of the esophagus
• Diaphragmatic hernia/evantration

3. Endoscopic Surgery for Abdomen (Laparoscopic Surgery)

Laparoscopic surgery particularly concerning the endoscopic surgery, are used in both diagnosis and management of some diseases related to belly (abdominal cavity) and organs/ tissues located within the abdomen such as stomach, intestines, appendix, spleen, liver, kidneys, etc. Some of these are listed below.

• Gastro-esophageal reflux disease (surgical repair / fundoplication)
• Appendicitis (appendix removal)
• Anal atresia
• Liver and gall bladder diseases (biopsy, removal of the gallbladder)
• Diseases of spleen (removal of the spleen)
• Kidney diseases (biopsy, removal of the kidney)
• Urinary tract obstructions (stenosis repair)
• Ovarian diseases – Girls (biopsy, cyst / tumor removal)
• Testicular Diseases – Boys (investigation of abdominal testis, orchidopexy)

Day surgery is an approach in which pediatric surgeons give much attention and many of them prefer this approach in treating surgical disease. It is based on to discharge eligible patients on the day of surgery. Day surgery diminishes stress and separation from home and family due to hospitalization as well as other risks of infection, particularly as minimizing cost and maximazing patient comfort has a positive impact on the well-being.

The most important issue in this approach is a careful selection of patients prior to surgery, if necessary in close cooperation with anesthesiologist and other experts is necessary to simultaneously evaluate the patient. Family cohesion, in terms of post-operative patient care, is also important to ensure hygienic and suitable home environment. Generally, day surgery is preferable over 1 month old and in patients with non-severe underlying disease on condition that the operation will not take long. Surgical diseases of the groin (hernia, hydrocele, undescended testes), biopsies, and some endoscopic procedures creates a good example for this application.

Today, the management of cancers in children is carried out by a multidisciplinary team which included experts on pediatric oncology and radiation oncology as well as pediatric surgeons. This approach significantly improved survival rates. Pediatric surgery is the branch of medicine that are often directly involved in surgical treatment of solid tumors. In addition, to establish the diagnosis, also to support the treatment of cancers such as leukemia and lymphoma, pediatric surgery plays a role indirectly as permanent central venous catheter insertion, biopsy, etc.

Welcome to our website. Our aim is to inform you briefly about both actual and reliable medical management of Pediatric Surgical/Urological disordes in the light of scientific data.

If we can help you on concerning our area of expertise, it would be a great pleasure for us.

Wishing you to meet on healthy days…