Pediatric Trauma Surgery - Specialists and Information

Pediatric trauma surgery (pediatric traumatology) is a subspecialty of pediatric surgery and trauma surgery. It is also closely related to pediatrics (the study of children’s health).

Pediatric trauma surgery deals with injuries and accidents involving children and their consequences.

The treatment of children often differs from that of adult patients. Since children are still growing, they require a different approach from an orthopedic perspective. The types of injuries also differ and require a specific treatment plan.

For your child’s healing and recovery, it is important to take the growth of the skeleton into account. In the case of a bone fracture, for example, the growth plates play a crucial role. Your child’s growth plates can either facilitate or complicate treatment.

Pediatric trauma surgery treats the same body regions as in adults following accidents. The goal of treatment is to enable the child to move again as quickly as possible.

The scope of pediatric trauma surgery includes the following areas:

• Skeletal injuries of the upper extremities (arms, hands, shoulder girdle)
• Skeletal injuries of the lower extremities (legs)
• Spinal injuries
• Skin injuries (burns)
• Injuries involving multiple regions and/or organ systems (polytrauma)

Bone fractures in children heal much faster than in adults @ Valerii Apetroaiei /AdobeStock

Children who have been in an accident often require an X-ray examination. This allows the doctor to determine whether there are any fractures. The doctor uses an X-ray procedure with a significantly lower radiation dose. The radiation dose is specified in medical guidelines.

Among the most common diagnoses in pediatric trauma surgery are:

• Distal radius fracture: These are fractures of the radius near the wrist, which doctors often treat conservatively (without surgery).
• Shaft fracture: This is a very common diagnosis in children. This type of fracture of the forearm or lower leg usually requires stabilization with special pins.
• Multiple injuries or polytrauma: This requires interdisciplinary collaboration with pediatric intensive care.

Your child’s treatment depends on the nature of the injury:

• In the case of a bone fracture, the doctor often avoids surgery because the growing skeleton can correct the fracture on its own.
• If, however, surgical fracture repair is necessary, your doctor will use specialized materials. These include special pins, wires, and screws for fixation.
• Children with severe injuries (burns) receive specialized wound care. The children remain hospitalized for some time in a burn unit. Some hospitals have a separate therapeutic unit for children to ensure care tailored to their needs.

In general, the treatment of acute injuries in children depends on the child’s physical development. Ideally, hospitals have their own pediatric wards. 

Pediatric wards have, on the one hand, extensive experience with children’s anatomy and, on the other hand, experience with your child’s emotional needs. A central component of an inpatient stay is collaboration with the parents.

In pediatric wards, for example, parents have the option of staying overnight with their child. The doctor involves both the father and mother in all decisions. These factors are extremely important for your child’s recovery.

There is currently no separate specialty training program for pediatric traumatology (pediatric trauma surgery). Experts in the field of pediatric trauma surgery come from various medical specialties:

• Specialists in pediatric surgery
• Specialists in general surgery
• Specialists in orthopedics and trauma surgery

There is no specific training program dedicated exclusively to pediatric trauma surgery. The fundamentals are found in the fields of trauma surgery and pediatric surgery.

Numerous large hospitals, particularly university hospitals, have their own departments for pediatric traumatology. The same applies to surgical practices that specialize in pediatric traumatology.

Interdisciplinary collaboration among experts working in the field of pediatric trauma surgery includes:

• Pediatricians
• Specialists in anesthesiology (anesthesiologists)

Depending on the specific injury, specialists from other fields may be consulted as needed. 

Accidents in childhood require special treatment. Children have specific needs that are based on their psychological and physical stage of development. The goal of treatment is to provide child-centered care that supports each stage of growth.