Pediatric Surgery
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Overview
The Pediatric Surgery service at Mass General for Children (MGfC) is an international referral center known for delivering high-quality surgical care for infants and children and for performing leading-edge scientific research that has greatly advanced our understanding of many diseases affecting childhood. Our pediatric surgeons provide the full spectrum of general and thoracic surgical care to all pediatric patients, from newborns to young adults. We provide expert care for many surgical conditions, whether it is a common problem, like a hernia or appendicitis, or a complex congenital condition of the abdomen or chest. MGfC is also certified as a center of excellence for Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) and as a Level 1 Pediatric Trauma Center.
Mass General physicians Dr. Dan Ellis, anesthesiologist, left, and Dr. Allan Goldstein, pediatric surgeon, talk about the expansion of pediatric surgery at MassGeneral for Children and bringing care to the communities where patients live.
Conditions We Treat
- Conditions of the head and neck
- Thoracic (chest) disorders
- Abdominal conditions
- Genitourinary (urinary or genital) disorders
- Gynecology
- Conditions of the skin
- Oncology (cancer)
- Vascular access
Services and Programs
- Bowel Management Program
- Pediatric Trauma and Emergency Surgery
- Adolescent Weight Loss Surgery Program
- Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology
- Pediatric and Adolescent Surgical Oncology
- Pediatric Vascular Anomalies Program
- Spina Bifida and Related Disorders Program
- Fetal Care Program
- Pediatric Thyroid Surgery Program
- Neurogastroenterology Program
- Pectus Excavatum Program
- Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center
- Pediatric Pigmented Nevus Program
- Thoracic Outlet Syndrome Program
- Pediatric General Anesthesia
- Pediatric Spinal Anesthesia
Patient Resources
View the full collection of patient resources from Pediatric Surgery at MGfC.
Patient Stories
View the full collection of patient stories from across MGfC.
Lindsey's story: An incidental finding, life-saving care
After a routine appendectomy failed to alleviate 11-year-old Lindsey Scheyer's symptoms, she underwent additional testing, which revealed something much more alarming and unexpected: a two-inch-long benign tumor on her pancreas. Learn about her spleen-sparing pancreas surgery at Mass General.
Alaina’s story: Mother’s intuition and community-based care saves kindergartner after chest injury
Alaina Harrington had a tiny cut on her chest after trying to stop a drinking glass from falling. An emergency room visit revealed that a glass shard had partially collapsed one of her lungs. After surgery to remove the glass shard, Alaina is breathing better and back to her typical happy, bubbly nature.
Grayson's story: Hurdle by hurdle, toddler reaches the finish line with family-centered care
In 2017, Ashley McAlpine and her husband, Garret, went to her 20-week ultrasound. It was supposed to be an exciting appointment to find out their baby’s sex, but it quickly plunged into uncertain territory. Doctors diagnosed the McAlpine’s baby boy with a congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH).
Mihaly's story: Life-saving surgery helps premature baby
Before the birth of Rose's twins, prenatal testing showed one baby may have an intestinal blockage. Hours after Mihaly was born, MGfC surgeons performed a life-saving surgery.
Research
The Department of Pediatric Surgery has an extensive program in basic research. Areas of focus include:
- Congenital diaphragmatic hernia
- Respiratory failure
- The development of fetal inhibitors as anti-cancer agents
- Intersex abnormalities and sexual differentiation
- General fetal and embryologic development
- Development of the intestine and the study of intestinal motility disorders, such as Hirschsprung's disease
- Regenerative medicine
- Tissue engineering
- Stem cell biology
Meet the Team
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- Pediatric Surgeon
- Associate Program Director, MGH Surgical Residency Program
- Director of Pediatric Surgical Oncology, Mass General for Children
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- Director, Surgical Education, Pediatric Surgery
- Associate Program Director, MGH Surgical Residency Program
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- Surgeon-in-Chief, Massgeneral Hospital for Children
- Chief, Pediatric Surgery
- Director, Pediatric Neurogastroenterology Program
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- Director of Quality and Safety
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- Surgical Director, Fetal Care Program
- Surgical Director, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
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- Pediatric Surgery
- Department of Surgery
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- Director, Pediatric Trauma Services
- Co-Director, MGH Center for Gun Violence Prevention
- NWH Chief of Pediatric Surgery
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- Visiting Surgeon, Massachusetts General Hospital
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Caitlin Coit, RN, BSN, MSN, CPNP
- Pediatric Trauma Program Manager/ Pediatric Surgery Nurse Practitioner
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Nicole Pietrantonio, MSN, RN, CPNP, RNFA
- Lead Advanced Practice Provider/ Nurse Practitioner, Pediatric Surgery
"It was like watching a well-oiled machine.
We were updated constantly and never felt like we were in the dark. Their attention to detail is amazing and they stayed the course the whole way through. You would think it's VIP treatment, but really, it's what they do for everyone." - Garret McAlpine, father of Grayson
"MGfC was great at answering questions and they laid out their plans very well."
I appreciated how her care team would compliment her nails or eyes as an ice breaker instead of asking how she felt. It made Alaina feel valued as a person. It opened the conversation for her to share the name of the nail polish or what color she liked.” – Maeghan Silvestri, mother of Alaina
Schedule a Virtual or Telephone Visit
Care teams across Mass General for Children are available to provide care via phone or online video visits. Call 888-644-3248 to learn more.
Surgery Visits at Mass General for Children
What to expect when you come to MGfC for a surgery visit, including information about testing, anesthesia, pre-op clinic visits and more.
Why Choose Mass General for Children?
Parents explain in their own words why they chose Mass General for Children for their children’s care.
Mass General Brigham Patient Gateway
Secure, convenient online access to your child's health information and appointments whenever you need it.