Pediatric surgery center in Savannah, Georgia

Memorial Health Dwaine & Cynthia Willett Children’s Hospital of Savannah is a full-service, multidisciplinary hospital committed to providing innovative pediatric surgical care for your child.

No matter what type of surgery your child needs, our pediatric surgical specialists understand the unique health needs of children. The team works one-on-one with you and your child's pediatrician to diagnose the problem and develop a comprehensive treatment plan.

To learn more about pediatric surgery at our children's hospital, please call our Consult-A-Nurse® team at (912) 350-9355.

Pediatric conditions we treat

We perform pediatric-specific surgical procedures for a wide range of conditions, including:

  • Abdominal and thoracic tumors
  • Abdominal wall abnormalities, including gastroschisis and omphalocele
  • Abscesses (pus-filled lumps)
  • Acute abdominal pain
  • Atresia-related congenital abnormalities of the anus, duodenum, esophagus and intestines
  • Bowel obstruction (ileus) causing lack of movement in the intestines
  • Childhood obesity through surgical weight loss
  • Chronic constipation and fecal incontinence
  • Circumcision and repairs
  • Enlarged lymph nodes
  • Gallbladder disease
  • Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)or acid reflux in newborns resulting in failure to thrive
  • Head and neck tumors
  • Hemangiomas (external birthmarks)
  • Hernias, including diaphragmatic hernia
  • Hirschsprung’s disease (congenital abnormality of the bowel)
  • Inflammatory bowel disease
  • Intestinal malrotation or volvulus (twisting of the intestines causing an obstruction)
  • Neurological conditions
  • Orthopedic injuries
  • Ovarian tumors and masses
  • Parathyroid tumors
  • Patent ductus arteriosus (developmental heart abnormality)
  • Pectus excavatum and pectus carinatum (abnormalities of the breastbone)
  • Perianal problems
  • Scoliosis and other spine conditions
  • Skin lesions
  • Spina bifida continence issues
  • Spleen and liver lesions or cysts
  • Swallowing difficulties in infants
  • Thyroid tumors
  • Tongue-tie (ankyloglossia), which restricts the tongue's range of motion
  • Traumatic injuries
  • Urologic conditions, such as:
    • Certain bladder conditions treated through complex urogenital reconstruction
    • Hydrocele
    • Hypospadias
    • Kidney and ureteral diseases and tumors
    • Undescended testes and testicular torsion
  • Venous and lymphatic malformations (masses with clustered vessels)

The pediatric surgeons at our children's hospital are experts in a wide range of pediatric specialties and are skilled in minimally invasive procedures, including laparoscopic surgery.

If necessary, our Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) provides the highest level of care to newborns, and our pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) is staffed 24 hours a day.

What to expect before, during and after pediatric surgery

Our pediatric surgical services and outpatient unit provide a special place just for kids. The staff is trained to make you and your child’s experience as stress-free as possible.

Many surgeries we provide are same-day procedures, and all pain management tools and medical equipment are designed to meet a child's unique needs.

We provide a child-friendly atmosphere with bright surroundings, play rooms and state-of-the-art dedicated pediatric operating rooms. All of our same-day surgery and inpatient postoperative recovery rooms are private, to ensure restful healing.

Sometimes kids have to be put to sleep to have a procedure or operation. Our Children's Hospital has induction rooms where parents can be present while their child is put to sleep, reducing anxiety for the entire family.

Preparing for surgery

Only two adult visitors are allowed in the holding area and recovery room. Please arrange childcare for siblings, as we limit visitation in the check-in area. You may continue to give your child any medications as usual, unless otherwise instructed by your doctor or anesthesiologist.

We ask that you leave valuables at home, but some items to bring with you to your child's surgical appointment are:

  • Any paperwork your doctor may have given you, such as lab work
  • Comfort items, such as stuffed animals
  • Distraction items, like video games
  • Insurance information and personal identification (ID)
  • Legal documents needed for consent forms (if you are not the legal guardian)
  • Special items, such as:
    • A change of clothes
    • Bottles and formula
    • Toiletries
  • Your child’s medications, so we can record accurate dosages in their medical history

Child life specialists

Our child life specialists are available to help children and families prepare for and cope with the surgical process. Child life specialists provide:

  • Age-appropriate activities to ease a child's anxiety while waiting for surgery
  • Comfort and support in the recovery room as the child awakes from anesthesia
  • Pre-surgery tour

Pre-surgery tours are available Monday through Friday from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm by appointment only. To schedule a tour, call our certified child life specialist at (912) 350-2445.