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Pediatric General and Thoracic Surgery

Some people think surgeons who operate on adults are also experts on kids. We don't agree. Growing bodies are different from adult bodies. Even the way kids react to surgery – from anesthesia to IV fluids – is different. That's why our surgeons are board-certified in both general and pediatric surgery.

  • Robotic arms allow surgeons to make very precise, complex motions that aren’t possible without the robot.

  • We treat problems that can affect children's pelvic area before birth or after an illness or injury.

  • Next: Reconstructive Pelvic Medicine
  • Next: Robot-Assisted Surgery

Leadership

John H. T. Waldhausen, MD

Division Chief

Pediatric General and Thoracic Surgery

On staff since October 1992

Meet the Pediatric General and Thoracic Surgery team.

Areas of Focus

  • Team Care

    We have more than just pediatric surgeons on your child’s team. From anesthesiologists to dietitians, all of our clinicians are specially trained to care for kids of all ages and developmental stages.

  • Minimally Invasive Surgery

    Minimally invasive surgery means less pain during recovery, a shorter hospital stay and a smaller scar. Because some of our pediatric surgeons are national leaders in the use of minimally invasive techniques, we have the most expertise in assessing whether this type of surgery is best for your child. 

  • Robot-Assisted Surgery

    Our surgeons have done more robot-assisted surgeries for children than any other surgeons in the region. We use the da Vinci Surgical System, a robot that the surgeon controls with hand and foot pedals. It allows your child’s surgeon to make very precise, complex motions that aren’t possible without the robot.

  • Abdominal Wall Defects

    We are continually seeking advanced treatments and surgical techniques with proven benefits for children. As a pioneer in treating infants with giant omphalocele — an abdominal wall defect where parts of the abdomen protrude into the umbilical cord — we have the best outcomes in the nation. 

Related Research

  • Bettering, and Beating, the Odds

    Her parents’ decision to seek care at Children’s gave Ariana the chance for a healthy life.

  • Pain, Pain Go Away

    Dr. Lynn Martin is working to make Children's a national center of excellence in regional anesthesia.

    Read more 

  • Center for Clinical and Translational Research

    Clinical and translational research takes discoveries made in the laboratory and translates them into therapies that people can actually use in daily life.

Related News and Press Releases

News

Children's HealthLink Special: Big Breakthroughs, Small Miracles
6.14.12 — KING 5 TV

Medical care for kids continues to improve and change every day, thanks to new discoveries and procedures at Seattle ... cont.

Robots, UW campus team up to grant boy's big wish
2.14.12 — KOMO TV

Eric Johnson’s ‘Little Heroes’ segment features Seattle Children’s patient Alex Penny.  Alex, 11, came to Seattle Children’s ... cont.

What do you get a surgical robot for its 5th birthday?
6.7.11 — Puget Sound Business Journal

A group of surgical devices at Seattle Children's threw a party for Blinky the Surgeonator, who turned five-years-old this ... cont.

Press Releases

Seattle Children’s Robotics Program Celebrates Five Years of Life-Changing Procedures

06.07.2011

Five year milestone marked with Blinky the Surgeonator’s Surprise Birthday Party: cont.

Doctors Perform Breakthrough Non-Surgical Heart Valve Replacement in Children with Congenital Heart Defects

10.13.2008

One of only five pediatric hospitals in the U.S. to offer this alternative to open-heart surgery.

Contact Us

For an appointment in Seattle, Bellevue, Everett, Federal Way or the Tri-Cities
206-987-2794

Have Billing Questions?

Seattle Children’s bills a facility charge (PDF) for hospital-based clinic visits.

Be a Part of Our Caring Community

Grace and Faith's Story

Meet Grace and Faith

Each year, hundreds of kids like Grace receive the region’s most advanced pediatric surgical care from Children’s General Surgery team. Your support makes it possible.