Surgery

Pediatric Surgery

Surgery at any age can be scary. When it’s your child, you want to know they are being cared for by a team that specializes in pediatric surgery.

University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital is home to the only team of pediatric surgeons in Iowa and western Illinois specifically trained to care for children, from premature infants to young adults. Our surgeons are specialists in the care of a broad range of pediatric surgical conditions and traumatic injuries.

As part of an academic medical center, our surgeons are also researchers, which means they are on top of the latest surgical techniques and medical discoveries to provide the most advanced care for your child. In addition to traditional procedures, our surgical team also performs minimally invasive surgeries that can reduce the length of hospital stays and minimize pain.

Our multidisciplinary care team includes expert pediatric surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, nutritionists, pharmacists, technologists, and support staff, all dedicated to the care of infants and children. Because we know surgery may just be one part of your child’s care, our pediatric surgery team works together with other pediatric specialists, such as neonatology, hematology, oncology, pulmonology, gastroenterology, otolaryngology, urology, cardiology, and radiology to ensure a complete and comprehensive plan of care. Because we all work together, every team member knows what is happening with your child’s care. This helps us determine what surgery is the best option for your child.

Pain management, nutrition, and social and psychological services are also part of our holistic approach to the care of children. Our family-centered care includes Child Life specialists, tutoring, art and music therapy, occupational therapy, and physical therapy. We partner closely with parents and family members so we can provide the best care and offer the most supportive environment to children.

• Before Your Child's Surgery: Frequently Asked Questions

Services

• Preparing for your day of surgery
• The power of play
  The pediatric surgery team at University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital developed custom medical dolls to help patients and families better understand what to expect before surgery.
• Music Therapy and Surgery: Patient Introduction
  This video provides information about how music therapy might help you feel more comfortable after your surgery at University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital. Information is provided by staff members as well as former patients and a relaxation exercise concludes the video.
• Music Therapy and Your Child’s Surgery: An Introduction for Parents
  This video explains how music therapy and relaxation can be used as part of the pain management plan after surgery. Information is provided by staff members as well as former patients. A relaxation exercise concludes the video.

Emergency Room and Inpatient Transfer Requests
UI Transfer Center
1-866-890-5969