Pediatric surgery in Turkey is a field that focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of acquired diseases, various traumas, and congenital disorders in infants and children. The body structure, psychological state, and metabolic processes in children are entirely different from those of adults. Therefore, surgical procedures performed during childhood need to be specially considered according to the unique characteristics of children.

Turkey currently boasts a significant number of pediatric surgeons committed to providing the best possible surgical care.

Pediatric Surgery in Turkey

According to a study conducted in Turkey in 2022, the number of intensive care beds for adults was 32,814, the number of intensive care beds for children was 2,308, and the number of neonatal intensive care beds was 13,685.

The pediatric and neonatal surgery intensive care unit features a rich infrastructure, including ventilators and monitoring devices capable of measuring arterial catheter pressure for children and newborns. Patient rooms are adequately equipped with beds for both newborns and children and staffed with experienced and dedicated personnel committed to excellence in care within the pediatric surgery department.

In the pediatric surgery department, medical conditions are followed and treated, and surgeries are performed according to the following divisions:

Abdominal Surgery for Children in Turkey

Laparoscopy for Children in Turkey

Keyhole surgery, also known as laparoscopic abdominal surgery, is increasingly used in pediatric surgeries in Turkey. It is a modern surgical technique involving small incisions and specialized tools to perform operations within the abdomen. This approach offers many advantages over traditional open surgery, including reduced pain, shorter recovery times, and minimal scarring.

Laparoscopy In The Department Of Pediatric Surgery In Turkey

It includes the treatment of the following congenital and acquired medical conditions:

Acute abdominal conditions: All surgical abdominal conditions that require emergency surgery, such as acute appendicitis, intussusception, strangulated hernia, and cases of torsion and volvulus.
Abdominal wall hernias: Umbilical hernia, epigastric hernia, and inguinal hernias and hydroceles.
Liver and biliary tract surgeries: Cysts and masses of the liver, gallstones, biliary atresia, and choledochal cysts.
Intra-abdominal tumors and cysts: Mesenteric and omental cysts, lymphangiomas, hemangiomas, and hydatid cysts.
Gastrointestinal bleeding: Bleeding from the stomach and intestines or any bleeding extending from the mouth to the rectum.
Constipation, anal fistula, anal fissure, anal stenosis, and enteritis.
Congenital hypertrophic pyloric stenosis and perforated peptic ulcer.
Spleen cysts and masses and acute splenectomy operations.
Abdominal traumas: Falls, stabbings, and traffic accidents.
Hirschsprung’s disease (intestinal paralysis disease).
Perforations of the stomach and intestines.

Pediatric Thoracic Surgery in Turkey

Pediatric surgery in Turkey also addresses congenital chest deformities in infants, as well as traumatic injuries or chest diseases in children. Thoracic surgery can involve the trachea, lungs, diaphragm, esophagus, and chest wall, and it can be performed via open surgery or minimally invasive techniques. Here are some types of pediatric thoracic surgeries:

Tumor surgery
Surgery for pneumothorax
Minimally invasive surgery (including liver and pleural cavity biopsies, sympathectomy for hyperhidrosis, and video-assisted thoracic surgery for lobectomy)
Mediastinoscopy / Bronchoscopy
Correction of chest wall deformities (Nuss procedure)
Chest wall tumors
Diaphragmatic surgery
Tuberculosis surgery
Tracheal surgery and placement of tracheal stents

Pediatric Urology Surgery in Turkey

Pediatric surgery in Turkey includes surgeries for the urinary tract and kidney system. Some of the conditions that can be treated are:

Congenital hydronephrosis (kidney swelling detected in the womb or after birth)
Ureteropelvic junction obstruction (blockage at the point where the ureter meets the kidney)
Kidney cysts and tumors
Ureteral conditions (narrow or dilated ureters, congenital ureteral obstruction)
Vesicoureteral reflux
Neurogenic bladder
Posterior urethral valve
Urinary incontinence

Pediatric Orthopedic Surgery in Turkey

Pediatric surgery in Turkey overlaps with pediatric orthopedic surgery, which involves procedures such as spinal fusion for scoliosis or surgeries on the upper and lower extremities. Pediatric orthopedic surgery is closely linked to functional rehabilitation for treating neuromuscular skeletal diseases.

Vertebral Body Tethering to Treat Scoliosis in the Department of Pediatric Surgery in Turkey

Pediatric Plastic Surgery in Turkey

Pediatric surgery in Turkey addresses congenital diseases and deformities in children affecting the skin, neck, head, and limbs. It also aims to treat tumors or conditions that damage skin tissues. Conditions requiring pediatric plastic surgery include:

Vascular malformations
Congenital fistulas in the neck and head
Poland syndrome
Tubular chest
Scars caused by various traumas
Gynecomastia

Pediatric Endocrine Surgery in Turkey

Pediatric surgery in Turkey includes the field of endocrine surgery, which covers the following conditions:

Surgical breast diseases (breast cysts, infections, abscesses)
Surgical thyroid diseases (thyroid cysts and nodules)
Surgical adrenal gland diseases in children (adrenal hematoma, neuroblastoma)
Surgical diseases of the pancreas (pancreatic adenomas, necrotizing pancreatitis, pseudocysts)
Other endocrine tumors

Pediatric Head and Neck Surgery in Turkey

This is an important section of pediatric surgery in Turkey, focusing on the following procedures:

Removal of the thyroglossal duct cyst
Placement of permanent or temporary catheters in neck vessels
Cervical lymph node dissection
Management of torticollis (neck curvature)
Abscess management

Pediatric Neurosurgery in Turkey

Minimally Invasive Pediatric Neurosurgery in Turkey

In Turkey, pediatric neurosurgery employs minimally invasive techniques to treat neurological conditions, involving small incisions the size of a pinhead (1.6 mm) at the surgical site. These techniques provide safer and more effective surgical treatment for children, with reduced recovery time compared to other procedures. Your child may be able to return home in less than two days, compared to two weeks with traditional open surgery.

Minimally Invasive Neurosurgery At The Department Of Pediatric Surgery In Turkey

Turkey is among the leading countries to adopt and incorporate new techniques, making minimally invasive neurosurgery possible.

At Bimaristan Center, we strive to improve the quality of life for children by evaluating complex cases through multidisciplinary collaboration with the largest hospitals in Turkey. Clinical and experimental research is conducted simultaneously, with these studies being presented at national and international conferences and published in prestigious national and international medical journals.