Pediatric surgery

Pediatric surgeons in Idaho Falls

Our pediatric surgeons at Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center (EIRMC) provide experienced, expert care, from routine to highly complex procedures. As the region's first and only pediatric surgery program for infants, children and teens, we ensure advanced care and support for your child throughout their experience.

To learn more about our pediatric surgical services, please call (208) 535-4515.

Pediatric surgical care

Hospital services can be overwhelming, especially when it involves your child's health and well-being. We are committed to making your child's surgery as comfortable as possible. As a parent, you can rest easy when your child is in our care. We offer:

• Fellowship-trained pediatric surgeons who work closely with pediatricians and other pediatric subspecialty providers
• The only pediatric intensive care unit in southeast Idaho, western Wyoming and Southern Montana, if your child requires fast access to a higher level of care
• A child life specialist who works with your child to help alleviate their fears of hospitalization and surgery, as well explain in age-appropriate terminology your child's diagnosis and treatment plan

Surgeries we perform

Our board-certified surgeons are experienced in treating a vast number of conditions through surgery. Common surgeries performed include:

• Abdominal tumor surgery
• Appendectomy
• Biliary atresia
• Chest tumor surgery
• Cholecystectomy
• Gastrointestinal surgery, including gastroesophageal reflux surgery
• Inguinal hernia
• Liver surgery
• Neonatal/infant surgery
• Short bowel/pseudo intestinal obstruction
• Sunken or protruding chest
• Thoracoscopic surgery
• Undescended testicle

Dedicated pediatric anesthesiology services

When your child is scheduled for surgery, it is important you feel comfortable with the anesthesiology team caring for your child during surgery. Our pediatric anesthesiologist understands the special requirements of newborns, infants, children and teens for sedation services. This pediatric expertise is essential in both procedural sedation and pain management during recovery.

Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)

If a child requires additional attention after birth, the neonatologists in our Level III NICU provide expert care for a wide range of post-birth conditions, including treatment for problems diagnosed before birth. Our surgical team consults with parents when maternal-fetal specialty care is needed and works closely with our neonatologist to provide the safest delivery experience possible.

Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU)

EIRMC's PICU provides critical care for children up to 18 years old and treats various serious illnesses and injuries, including burns, trauma, respiratory failure, neurological conditions and bleeding disorders. Care is provided by board-certified pediatric intensivists, with a multidisciplinary team of specialized pediatric nurses, respiratory therapists, physical, occupational and speech therapists, dietitians, pharmacists and social workers.

Preparing your child for surgery

With good information, you can answer many of your child's questions. What to tell a child about surgery depends on age, emotional maturity and coping abilities. Be honest, use familiar words and let your child know you will be at the hospital during the operation and will take them home afterward. Additional ways to prep your child include:

• Bring a favorite toy, book, security blanket or other treasured items to the hospital. Older children may want to bring books or handheld games.
• Let your child make choices before and after surgery, when appropriate. For example, ask your child to pick which clothes to pack for the hospital or which favorite item or toy to bring.
• Encourage your child to draw pictures as a way to express their thoughts and feelings about the surgery.

Sometimes having the right words can be difficult, especially if you're not familiar with everything that goes on during a procedure. However, here are some answers to offer your child for frequently asked questions:

• Will it hurt? You might say, "It won't hurt during the operation because the sleeping medicine protects you. But afterward, the place where you had your operation may feel sore. The doctor or nurse can give you medicine to help the soreness go away."
• Who will do the operation? You might say, "Doctors and nurses will do the operation. They will take care of you and keep you safe the whole time. You will meet your nurse and sleep doctor before the operation."
• Why can't I eat or drink before my operation? You might say, "The sleeping medicine works best when there is no food in your tummy. After the operation, you can eat when you feel hungry."

Touring the facility

At EIRMC, we want to help our young patients and their families feel comfortable before a procedure — that's why we offer pre-surgery tours. The goal of these tours is to help familiarize a child/teen with the environment and medical equipment, ease a child's anxieties and clear up misconceptions a child may have about the surgery.

Our child life specialist will use developmentally appropriate education and therapeutic play to help your child understand and participate in their care during the tour.

Tours are free of charge, but we do require a reservation. If you are interested in scheduling a pre-surgery tour, please call (208) 529-7288.