Patient in hospital bed

Pediatric General Surgery at Arkansas Children's

Everything we do is tailored to the needs of children.

From our pediatric-trained staff, operating rooms, equipment and anesthesia guidelines, the general surgery team at Arkansas Children's is equipped to treat newborns to young adults with safety and precision. Each year, we see more than 3,000 children in our clinic who have surgical and non-surgical needs. Our fellowship-trained pediatric surgeons are specially trained in minimally invasive procedures and understand that kids heal differently than adults. And our surgery center in Little Rock is verified as a Level 1 Children’s Surgery Center by the American College of Surgeons, meaning you’ll get the best care for your child.

Sometimes children experience post-traumatic stress after an event that leads to surgery. For example, if a four-wheeler accident results in surgery, your child may have anxiety triggered by four-wheelers. We offer a Trauma Clinic for mental health follow-ups.

Common conditions/procedures include:

An appendectomy is surgery to remove the appendix. Surgeons remove the appendix when it gets blocked and becomes infected. This is called appendicitis.
Biliary atresia is when a newborn has blocked bile ducts in the liver. If a baby’s jaundice doesn’t improve by 2 weeks of age, doctors might suspect the condition.

A percutaneous biopsy is a procedure to remove a small tissue sample. The procedure is an image-guided procedure that an interventional radiologist performs.

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Cysts can happen in different parts of the body. They can get infected and then hurt or swell.
Common gallbladder issues include gallstones or other conditions such as biliary dyskinesia. Symptoms may include abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and jaundice.

Treatment for pediatric GERD depends on age, symptoms, and severity. Our experts will help determine the best approach for your child.

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Gastroschisis is when a baby is born with the intestines, and sometimes other organs, sticking out through a hole in the belly wall near the umbilical cord.

There are many different types of gastrostomy tubes. Your child’s doctor will choose the one that’s best for your child based on their specific needs.

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The pediatric experts at at Arkansas Children's frequently diagnose and treat hidradenitis suppurativa.  Learn More
A groin hernia happens when organs or abdominal tissue push through a hole in your child's abdominal wall where the thigh meets the trunk. Learn More

Pectus carinatum is a chest deformity that causes portions of the ribs and breastbone to push forward.

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Pectus excavatum or sunken chest is one of the most common chest wall disorders in children.  Learn More
Pilonidal disease is a condition that affects the skin and tissue of the crease between the buttocks and is treated by our pediatric surgery team.  Learn More
An umbilical hernia happens when a part of a child’s abdominal wall does not close at birth and appears as a bulge that is seen near your child's navel (belly button).  Learn More
How well a wound heals depends on where it is on the body and what caused it. A team of doctors and specially trained wound care nurses work together to monitor and treat serious wounds. Good home care is also an important part of healing.

Call 501-364-4000 to schedule an appointment.

Available Monday - Friday 7:00 am - 4:30 pm (CST)

You must have a referral from your child's doctor.

Hospital Services

Why choose a pediatric surgeon for your child's care?

Pediatric surgeons are certified in both general surgery and pediatric surgery and must pass certifications for both before they can practice. Education and training needed to become a pediatric surgeon takes many years of training after medical school and is one of the longest training programs for surgeons. Pediatric surgeons train an additional 7 years after medical school. Pediatric surgeons have the greatest expertise in dealing with children’s surgical needs.