What is a Pediatric Surgical Specialist?

If your child needs an operation, your pediatrician will refer your child to a pediatric surgical specialist. This type of doctor has had special training and is experienced in children’s surgical needs from birth to young adulthood.
There are a variety of pediatric surgical specialists including the following:
• Anesthesiologists
• General surgeons (includes neonatal, prenatal, trauma, and cancer surgeons)
• Neurosurgeons (brain and spinal cord surgeons)
• Ophthalmologists (eye surgeons)
• Orthopedic surgeons (bone surgeons)
• Otolaryngologists (ear, nose, and throat surgeons)
• Plastic surgeons
• Urologists (kidney, bladder, and genital surgeons)

Pediatric surgical specialists are the best choice if your child needs any type of surgery because they have the most experience in treating children. This comes from their years of specialized training, which includes
• At least 4 years of medical school
• One year of a surgical or medical internship
• Three to 5 years of residency training in their specialized area of surgery
• One to 2 additional years of fellowship training in their pediatric surgical specialty
If you have additional questions, please talk to your pediatrician.