The Division of Pediatric Surgery at Mattel Children's Hospital UCLA is one of the major centers in the country that provides continuous coverage for infants and children with congenital malformations as well as almost all conditions that require surgical care in infancy and childhood. Conditions such as neonatal intestinal, abdominal wall and thoracic anomalies, hernias, undescended testes, appendicitis, intestinal obstruction, inflammatory bowel disease, gastroesophageal reflux, and disorders of the lungs and chest wall are commonly treated through this division.
The division has extensive experience in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease and colonic polyposis, utilizing the endorectal ileal pull-through procedure for both children and adolescents. The division has extensive experience with pediatric laparoscopic surgery, vascular access, and extra corporeal membrane oxygen (ECMO) support of infants and children with respiratory distress. The division also has a long-term interest and clinical experience with Hirschsprung's disease and anorectal anomalies. The division has a strong interest in the surgical treatment of chest wall malformations, gastroesophageal reflux, and solid tumors in childhood, as well as extensive experience in the management of hepatic and biliary tract anomalies.
The staff also provides coverage for emergency trauma and participates in the Level 1 Trauma Center at the Medical Center. The division is particularly active in providing intravenous hyperalimentation for nutritional support and has extensive experience treating end-stage renal disease with chronic peritoneal dialysis.