Training in pediatric surgery involves the standard five-year general surgery residency followed by a two year pediatric surgery fellowship. Fellowship spots are incredibly competitive to obtain with approximately only 35 programs in the United States and Canada. To remain competitive, candidates for the positions usually also have completely approximately two years of research along with their general surgery residency. After completion of the fellowship, these surgeons can then sit for addition qualifications in pediatric surgery through the American Board of Surgery if they are already certified by the Board in general surgery. Pediatric surgeons operate on conditions on the head all the way down to the feet on a daily basis.
Procedures can include non-cardiac thoracic work.
In some cases, general pediatric surgeons will even operate on Patent Ductous Arteriosis in some centers where pediatric cardiac surgeons don't operate on the condition. Depending on the trauma system in the area, pediatric surgeons may also be responsible for responding to pediatric trauma alerts. Since trauma remains the leading killer of children in the United States, it only makes sense to have those who have additional training in the surgical management of children available to treat this surgical disease. Pediatric surgeons can also be found involved with surgical oncology in children, prenataly diagnosed conditions that can be managed with intrauterine surgery, and operating on neonates. Although some pediatric surgeons are found in private practice, the majority will be found practicing in academic settings at university hospitals.