Free 24/7 Nurse Advice Line: 844-GET-CHOC.
When a child needs a surgery, that child’s needs are very different than those of an adult patient needing the same or similar procedure. Our nationally recognized surgeons perform the latest procedures, using equipment that is customized to pediatric patients all the way from newborns to young adults—and our operating and procedure rooms are designed for safety, precision and efficiency.
At CHOC, we have specialized in pediatric surgery since we welcomed our first patients in 1964.
Our physicians and other health care professionals are all specially trained to work with pediatric patients. We are proud to offer patients:
Our expertise is second to none. The surgeons at CHOC are known for offering the latest procedures no matter how complex—including the use of minimally invasive surgery and robotic surgery methods.
We provide specialty surgical services in the following areas:
The Tidwell Procedure Center at CHOC features nine operating rooms and advanced technology and information systems including the daVinci Si robotic surgical system with Firefly fluorescence imaging; full operating room data, imaging and video integration and video conferencing; the ROSA robotic device for neurological procedures; StealthStation surgical navigation and O-arm imaging technology; and a patient tracking system that allows families to track a patient’s progress throughout the surgical procedure. Using the technology integration system iSuite by Stryker, CHOC was the first children’s hospital in the region to have a fully integrated operating room. Learn more about the technology in our ORs.
The center also features three state-of-the-art endoscopy procedure rooms, two surgical procedure rooms and a Gastrointestinal Motility Lab. The center provides procedural care for patients of multiple specialties such as gastroenterology, pulmonology, oncology, dentistry and other surgical specialties. An 18-bed pre-operative unit includes all private rooms, and an 18-bed post-anesthesia care unit is configured to meet the unique needs of a wide variety of patients, including those who received anesthesia for an imaging procedure. Two isolation rooms are available for patients with contagious conditions, and other glass-enclosed rooms are for critical care patients who require specialized technology and ventilators.
Also featured is a cardiac catheterization lab—a biplane lab with hybrid capabilities—where invasive and neuroradiology procedures are offered as well. The center also includes a dedicated electrophysiology suite for patients with abnormal heart rhythms, offering both radiofrequency ablation and cryoablation, as well as 3D mapping.
CHOC provides patient- and family-centered care because we understand that when one family member is ill or is in need of surgery, the entire family is impacted. The center is staffed with a dedicated child life specialist and family liaison to help make the surgical process easier for both patients and families. We know how important it is that our patients still feel and act like kids while dealing with the adult issues of surgery and that their families get the support they need to focus on what is most important: patient recovery.
We are committed to continually communicating with patients and their families so that they understand what is happening at every step of the way during their time in the procedure center. Our knowledgeable nurses and skilled surgeons and anesthesiologists are dedicated to making sure that each patient’s family is provided with the most accurate information throughout the surgical process. Learn more about the social and emotional support designed especially for children and their families.
At CHOC, we understand that the hospital can be a scary, unpredictable place and that children better cope with hospital stays when they trust the hospital staff and feel safe. Our associates build positive relationships with patients and their families while keeping the overall atmosphere calm and child friendly. We do everything possible to make our hospital a home away from home during both inpatient and outpatient surgery and procedures.
Our comprehensive guides to the surgery process are intended to help patients and their caregivers feel confident and prepared for an upcoming surgical procedure. We encourage caregivers to read through all of the guides – including the After Surgery Guide – before the patient’s surgery. We also encourage you to print pages you may find helpful for reference as you prepare for the child’s procedure. This information pertains to all patients, from those undergoing outpatient noninvasive procedures to those undergoing major, invasive inpatient surgeries.
This guide provides the information families need to ensure that everything is in place before the patient’s surgery. Whether a child is having an elective outpatient procedure or a major invasive surgery requiring an inpatient stay, all procedures and surgeries should be taken very seriously. This information should not take the place of information or instructions provided by the child’s surgeon.
Finding out that your child needs surgery can be scary for parents to hear. You want to know that your child is in the best hands possible, and the nationally ranked surgeons and pediatric anesthesiologists at CHOC specialize in the care of kids. Your child’s pediatric anesthesiologist is not only an important member of your child’s surgery team but also the entire perioperative experience (before, during, and after surgery). Read more about pediatric anesthesia.
Babies and Surgery
Parents and caregivers can prepare for their baby’s surgery by asking questions about their baby’s problem. Learn more about preparing your infant for surgery in this Health feature.
Kids and Surgery
Preparing your child in advance and planning ahead for surgery will help make your child feel more comfortable about the surgery and recover better and faster. Learn about how to prepare your child for surgery in this Health feature.
What Parents Need to Know About Cleft Palate Repair
Cleft lip and cleft palate are anomalies of the mouth and lip where the sides of the lip and the roof of the mouth do not fuse together as they should. Learn about how cleft palate is surgically repaired in this Health feature.
Any questions about your child’s surgery should be directed to your surgeon’s office.
Patients must arrive at CHOC Hospital in Orange two hours before surgery is scheduled to begin. Caregivers should park at the main entrance of the hospital. Valet service is available. Learn more about visiting the Tidwell Procedure Center.
Get printable maps of our campus in English or Spanish.
1201 W. La Veta Ave. | Orange, CA 92868
To schedule a consultation with a CHOC pediatric surgeon, please call 714-364-4050.
Click on image for directions.
Patients and caregivers often have a lot of questions regarding surgery. We are proud to offers answers to some of the most popular questions received by our nurses and physicians.
