Pediatric Surgery

Comprehensive Surgical Care for Children of all Ages

Your Child's Anesthesia, Sedation and Surgery

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Pediatric Surgery

At Nationwide Children’s, our Department of General Pediatric Surgery provides comprehensive surgical care for infants, children and adolescents with congenital and acquired conditions, including major congenital anomalies, traumatic and thermal injuries, and tumors.

As the second largest pediatric treatment center in the United States our surgeons perform more than 4,000 operative procedures every year.

Nationwide Children’s Hospital is verified as a Level 1 Children’s Surgery Center by the American College of Surgeons Children’s Surgery Verification quality improvement program.

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Featured Programs

Meet Our Team

Surgery Locations

Resources for Parents

Resources for Providers

Featured Programs

In addition to providing general pediatric surgical care, these nine cutting-edge programs are leading the way in pediatric surgery.

Bariatric Surgery

The bariatric surgery program at Nationwide Children's was the first free-standing adolescent bariatric surgery center in the U.S. to be accredited by the American College of Surgeons Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP).

Toddler Walking in Hallway Holding Dad's Hand

Burn Center

Verified by the American Burn Association and American College of Surgeons, our program ensures children with burn injuries and their families receive the expertise and support of a comprehensive, multidisciplinary team.

Nationwide Children's Hospital Patient Stock Photo

Chest Wall Clinic

Our clinic provides comprehensive evaluation and treatment of disorders affecting the chest wall, including pectus excavatum, pectus carinatum, rib deformities and chest wall tumors.

Center for Colorectal and Pelvic Reconstruction (CCPR)

The Center for Colorectal and Pelvic Reconstruction (CCPR) is one of the first in the world to formally integrate all specialties involved in providing complete care of the colon and rectum in kids.

Tween Girl Reflecting While Standing Outside

Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center

Our nationally recognized center uses a specialized, multidisciplinary approach to provide expert, comprehensive care for children with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. We provide intensive support through clinical management, patient and family education, dietary guidance and counseling.

Minimally Invasive Surgery

Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) is performed through small incisions using miniaturized surgical tools and cameras.

Trauma Program

As one of the largest pediatric ACS verified Level 1 trauma centers in the nation, we are finding the best outcome for every patient we treat. Our Trauma Program ensures expert evaluation, treatment and follow-up for all injured children.

Neonatology

We offer advanced, comprehensive care, from fetal diagnosis to long-term follow-up. As the nation's largest neonatal network, caring for more than 3,000 babies each year, we provide cutting-edge interventions, compassionate care and exceptional outcomes.

Sacral Nerve Stimulation Clinic

Sacral nerve stimulation (SNS) is a promising new technique offered to children who experience urinary and/or fecal incontinence or chronic constipation after other treatments have been unsuccessful. Patients meet with a multi-disciplinary team that determines the individualized treatment plan.

Young smiling cancer patient wearing head wrap

Surgical Oncology Clinic

Our clinic offers convenient, comprehensive care for patients with cancer by bringing all relevant experts together to ease the burden on patients and their families. We streamline the process from diagnosis to treatment and improve the entire family's care experience.

Meet Our Team

Our nationally recognized team includes 13 board-certified pediatric surgeons, six of whom are also certified in surgical critical care, and one hospitalist, who is board-certified in general surgery and specializes in burn and trauma care.

Gail E. Besner

Gail E. Besner, MD is the Chief of Pediatric Surgery.

Meet Our Team

Surgery Locations

Main Operating Room (Inpatient & Outpatient)

700 Children's Drive
Columbus, Ohio 43205
(614) 722-2000

Main Campus Surgery Center (Outpatient)

700 Children's Drive
Columbus, Ohio 43205
(614) 722-2000

Westerville Surgery Center (Outpatient)

455 Executive Campus Drive
Westerville, Ohio 43082
Phone: (614) 355-6100
Fax: (614) 355-6101

Clinic Locations

Pediatric Surgery Clinic

Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Outpatient Care Center – Surgery Clinic
555 S. 18th Street, 6th Floor
Columbus, OH 43205
(614) 722-3900 or (800) 825-6695
FAX (614) 722-3903
Monday and Tuesday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Wednesday 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Thursday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Friday 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Evaluation in Pediatric Surgery Clinic for urgent problems is available: Mon. – Fri. 9 am – 4 pm

Westerville Surgery Center – Surgery Clinic

455 Executive Campus Drive Westerville, OH 43082
(614) 722-3900
Selected Mondays and Fridays 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Burn Clinic

Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Outpatient Care Center
555 S. 18th Street, 6th Floor
Columbus, OH 43205
(614) 722-3900
FAX (614) 722-3903
Monday 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Wednesday 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Friday 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Surgical Oncology Clinic

Outpatient Care Center
555 South 18th Street, 4th Floor
Columbus, OH 43205
(614) 722-3250
1st and 4th Mondays of each month
1 p.m. – 4 p.m.

Dublin Close To Home Center on Venture Dr

5665 Venture Drive Suite A
Dublin, OH 43016
(614) 722-3900
Select Tuesday 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Resources for Parents

Surgery Guide

When your child needs surgery, nothing will stop you from worrying. But when you choose Nationwide Children's Hospital, you have less to worry about.

Surgery Tour Request

Take an online tour of our surgical facilities with your child so you both know what to expect before you arrive.

Resources for Providers

Smiling Tween Girl and Boy Sitting in Hallway

Refer a Patient

Referral resources at your fingertips. Because when your patient needs a pediatric specialist, everything matters.

Pediatric Surgery Residency

Established in 1950, the Pediatric Surgery Residency at Nationwide Children's Hospital is regarded among the most prestigious and comprehensive pediatric surgical training programs in the United States.

Pediatric Colorectal Fellowship

The Pediatric Colorectal Fellowship provides training in advanced colorectal surgery and collaborating specialties, including GI Motility and pelvic reconstruction.