Pediatric Surgery

The Pediatric Surgical Center Israel treats children who require surgical interventions from birth to the age of 16. The department staff includes six senior physicians and approximately 30 highly qualified nurses across 36 beds. The multidisciplinary team also includes a physiotherapist, an occupational therapist, a dietitian-nutritionist, a social worker, a speech therapist, and a psychologist.

When a child needs surgery, it is a stressful situation for both parents and the entire family. The doctors, nurses, administrative staff, social workers, and psychologists in the department understand this and strive to provide support and alleviate stress as much as possible.

Pediatric Surgical Treatments and Procedures

The Pediatric Surgical Center Israel specializes in the following areas:

• General pediatric surgery: Surgical treatment of inguinal hernias, umbilical hernias, cryptorchidism, hydrocele, and various abdominal and thoracic disorders.
• Exclusive approach to inguinal hernia repair: Due to the high likelihood of hidden bilateral hernias, laparoscopic examination through the hernia sac is performed during the operation. If necessary, a bilateral correction is performed in a single procedure, avoiding the need for a second surgery in the future.
• Testicular surgery: Whenever possible, surgeries are performed at the earliest stage. Diagnosis is recommended at six months of age, and surgery is advised between eight and ten months to achieve the best long-term outcomes.
• Oncological pediatric surgery: The department treats patients with tumors of the neck, chest, kidneys, and gastrointestinal tract. The Pediatric Surgery Department works closely with the Pediatric Hemato-Oncology Unit.
• Congenital defects: For complex defects identified during the prenatal period, the high-risk pregnancy and fetal ultrasound team involves pediatric surgeons in advance. A multidisciplinary team—including gynecologists, geneticists, and pediatric surgeons—meets with the family to make joint decisions. Early collaboration and familiarization with the medical team help parents better understand the situation and prepare for what to expect during their baby’s treatment. Examples of such defects include diaphragmatic hernia, esophageal atresia, duodenal atresia, congenital lung anomalies, and more.
• Chronic conditions: Inflammatory bowel diseases, gallstones, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and acute surgical conditions such as intestinal obstruction, appendicitis, peritonitis, testicular torsion, and varicocele.
• Other specialized procedures: Circumcision, central venous catheter (Port-A-Cath) placement, Hickman catheter placement, bronchoscopy, tissue biopsies, and more.

Advanced Pediatric Surgery Israel: Innovative Techniques

The department is a leader in advanced pediatric surgery in Israel, using the latest and most advanced surgical techniques, including:

• Laparoscopy and thoracoscopy: These minimally invasive techniques allow for the diagnosis and treatment of various conditions using miniature cameras, avoiding large incisions.
• Laparoscopy: A collective term for various minimally invasive pediatric surgical treatments performed through small incisions in the abdominal wall, using surgical instruments and a video camera. The surgical field and the entire procedure are displayed on a monitor, allowing the team to perform precise surgeries with minimal trauma.
• Thoracoscopy (VATS—Video-Assisted Thoracic Surgery): The department has extensive experience using thoracoscopy to treat inflammatory processes in the chest cavity, significantly reducing hospitalization time.

All surgeries are performed in state-of-the-art operating rooms. Anesthesia is provided by specialists in pediatric anesthesiology. Whenever possible, surgeons use laparoscopic techniques to minimize invasiveness and shorten recovery times.

Hospital Stay and Family Support

Patient rooms are located across two floors in the Dana-Dwek Children’s Hospital building. Most rooms accommodate two patients, but there are also single rooms for children requiring isolation. Each room has a private bathroom with a shower and toilet. Families have access to a parent kitchen equipped with hot and cold water dispensers, utensils, and a refrigerator for storing patient-labeled food.

Meals are served at the following times: breakfast from 8:00–8:30 am, lunch from 12:00–12:30 pm, and dinner from 5:00–6:00 pm. For infants under one year old, the department provides baby formulas and fruit purees. The non-profit organization “Ezer Mi-Tzion” also provides free hot meals and sandwiches for parents.

For overnight stays, one parent may remain with the child throughout the hospitalization, including at night. Each room has a fold-out chair-bed for parents. Laundry services, bedding, pillows, and blankets are available on the ward.

Diapers are provided for hospitalized children of all ages and weights.

For more information or to initiate treatment at the Pediatric Surgical Center Israel, please send diagnostic test results translated into English to medtour@tlvmc.gov.il or submit a request via the official Ichilov Hospital website. Our team will contact you within 24 to 48 hours to discuss further evaluation and treatment options.