Many pediatric surgical procedures can be performed with a minimally invasive approach. This means that operations are done with a telescope and miniature instruments so that very small incisions are used (1/2 inch). Operations such as appendectomy, Nissen fundoplication, pyloromyotomy, colonic resection, operations of the ovary and lung, pull-through, as well as many others can be performed with this approach.

The advantages to your children and you of this type of surgery includes:

• very small incisions that leave no lasting scars,
• fewer pulmonary problems associated with an operation,
• less post-operative pain and complications,
• quicker recovery time,
• shorter hospital stays, quicker return to school, gym and other activities, and
• quicker return of parents to work.

The Minimal Access Surgery Center (MASC) of Western New York provides comprehensive care in this type of surgery. It is one of few Pediatric Centers devoted to the minimally invasive approach. And our staff is trained and certified to perform ALL minimally invasive surgical procedures available today.

Our surgery center is in the Children's Hospital of Buffalo. In the hospital are two state-of-the-art operating rooms fully equipped to perform multidisciplinary minimally invasive surgery - i.e. laparoscopy, thoracoscopy, endoscopy, anthroscopy, and cystoscopy. Although the similar facilites exist at approximately twelve adult hospitals throughout North America, the Miniature Access Surgery Center is the only one dedicating to performing minimally invasive surgery on children and adolescents at a free-standing children's hospital.

Our surgeons also participate with the Miniature Access Surgery Training and Teaching Center (MASTTAR). MASTTAR is an institute for training surgeons in minimally invasive surgery and for performing research projects, which include sophisticated surgical techniques such as robotic surgery.

Types of Minimally Invasive Surgery (MIS) Practiced and Taught

• Lapraoscropy and thoracoscopy
• Endoscopy
• Arthroscopy
• Angiography and angioplasty
• Percutaneous endoscropic gastrostomy
• Vascular access
• Vaginal hysterectomy
• Transurethral resection of the prostate

The Department of Pediatric Surgery at the Children's Hospital of Buffalo was established in 1957 and specializes in general and thoracic surgery for the care of fetuses, infants as small as one pound, toddlers, children and adolescents up to the age of 18. Young adults with specific problems are also cared for. The department is committed to excellence in teaching, cutting-edge research programs, and providing the highest quality of care for the surgical needs of the children of Western New York and surrounding regions. These efforts make the Division of Pediatric Surgery a nationally/internationally recognized academic unit of the Children's Hospital of Buffalo and the State University of New York at Buffalo. It is the preferred place for a child to receive care in this region, and beyond.