Pediatric surgery

General surgery offers a four-week elective rotation in pediatric general surgery. We provide comprehensive care to all pediatric surgery patients.

The rotating medical student will be integrated into our services by becoming active in the daily care of our patients. Medical students will be expected to take an appropriate history and complete a physical exam. Students are expected to attend at least three surgical clinics per week during the rotation. They are encouraged to observe and assist in the operating room as well. Students will do daily morning rounds and will be on-call during their rotation. Students will also be assigned readings to be used as resources.

Goals & objectives

The overall educational objective for the rotating student is to develop an understanding of what a pediatric surgeon is and their scope of practice.

Specific educational goals will include:

• Students will learn how to take an appropriate history, complete a physical exam and understand the associated anatomy and pathophysiology for common pediatric surgical conditions including but not limited to: inguinal hernias, umbilical hernias, undescended testicle, pyloric stenosis, appendicitis, cutaneous masses and gastroesophageal reflux disease.
• Students will learn the normal range of vital signs, the basic fluid requirements and expected fluid outputs for both infants and children.
• Students will learn about aseptic technique, wound healing, pain management and the basic ATLS approach to pediatric trauma patients.
• Medical students are expected to attend at least three surgical clinics per week during the rotation. Students are encouraged to observe and assist in the operating room especially on patients they have assessed as much as possible. Students who actively participate on the team may have the opportunity to insert nasogastric tubes, foley catheters, suture wounds, incise and drain abcesses with supervision.