General Paediatric Surgery

General paediatric surgery treats conditions in babies, children and teenagers that need an operation on the abdomen, groin, chest or skin, excluding the heart, brain and bones. Paediatric surgeons train specifically in children's anatomy, and they work with children's anaesthetists and nurses.

Most of the work is short, planned day surgery such as hernia repair and undescended testis. The same teams deal with emergencies like appendicitis. Children are not small adults: fluid balance, anaesthesia and pain control all differ, which is why a dedicated children's unit matters.

Conditions this service looks after

• Inguinal hernia and hydrocele
• Undescended testis
• Umbilical and epigastric hernia
• Tight foreskin with scarring or repeated infection, and hypospadias
• Appendicitis
• Pyloric stenosis in young babies
• Gastro-oesophageal reflux not controlled by medicine
• Gallstones, spleen problems and abdominal cysts
• Lumps, cysts and ingrown toenails
• Chest wall deformities such as pectus excavatum

Tests you may be offered

• Clinical examination: Most groin and scrotal conditions are diagnosed by a specialist's examination alone.
• Ultrasound: The first-line scan in children for the abdomen, testes and pylorus because it uses no radiation.
• Blood and urine tests: Check for infection, anaemia and kidney function.
• Contrast studies and MRI: Used for bowel anatomy, reflux or complex malformations. CT is limited to keep radiation low.
• Pre-anaesthetic assessment: A children's anaesthetist reviews health, recent colds and fasting instructions.

Treatments available

• Inguinal hernia and hydrocele repair: Open or laparoscopic day surgery, advised soon after diagnosis in infants because of the risk of trapping.
• Orchidopexy: Bringing an undescended testis into the scrotum, ideally between 6 and 18 months of age.
• Laparoscopic appendicectomy: Standard emergency treatment for appendicitis.
• Pyloromyotomy: Splitting the thickened stomach outlet muscle in babies with pyloric stenosis.
• Hypospadias repair and circumcision for medical reasons: Urological procedures performed by paediatric surgeons or urologists.
• Nuss procedure: A curved bar placed under the breastbone for pectus excavatum in adolescents.

When to ask for a specialist opinion

• A groin or scrotal swelling that comes and goes, or a testis that cannot be felt
• A swelling that becomes hard, painful and will not go back, with vomiting: go to emergency care at once
• Forceful vomiting after every feed in a baby of 2 to 8 weeks
• Persistent abdominal pain with fever, or pain moving to the lower right side
• You have been advised surgery for your child and want a second opinion

Travelling to Türkiye for this care

Planned day-case operations in otherwise healthy children over about 1 year can be done on a family visit of 5 to 7 days, provided the child has had no cold or fever in the preceding 2 weeks and you can stay for the wound check. Staged operations such as hypospadias repair or the Nuss bar need several visits and local follow-up. Emergencies and surgery on small babies belong in the nearest children's hospital. Consider too whether a long journey and an unfamiliar setting are in your child's interest for a common operation that is available at home.

Send your reports, scans and a short history and a Clinic-Y coordinator replies within 24 hours with suitable teams and written, all-inclusive proposals side by side. Reviewing your case is free.

Frequently Asked Questions