General surgery

GERD causes the backwards movement of food and acid from the stomach into the esophagus. Learn more about GERD and the medications that are used to manage it.

Read about various types of congenital malformations of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and how they are diagnosed.

Find out how to help your child with swallowing and digesting food after esophageal or tracheoesophageal fistula (EA/TEF) repair, a surgery to correct defects in the esophagus. Also find information about esophageal dilation, which is a procedure used to help children who have difficulty swallowing food and liquid due to narrowing or tightening of their esophagus.

Some babies are born with problems with their lungs, called congenital lung abnormalities or birth defects. Read about various types of breathing problems in newborn babies, including lung malformations.

Hirschsprung disease is a congenital disease (a person is born with it) in which ganglion cells are missing from the bowel or colon, causing stool to not move properly. Learn more about Hirschsprung's disease and easing its symptoms with a high-fibre, low-sugar diet.

Anorectal malformation is a birth defect that causes the anus not to develop properly. Find out how this can be treated with surgery and find dietary guidelines to help make stooling easier for children with anorectal malformation.

Find out how a bowel management program can help keep your child clean if they have problems controlling their bowel movements. Also learn about appendicostomy—a surgery to create a passage between the abdomen and intestine—and antegrade continence enema.

An ostomy helps your child get rid of stool or urine if the intestine or urinary tract does not work properly. Learn some basic tips to help care for your child's ostomy.

Diaper rash is usually caused by the skin coming into contact with urine and stool. Learn about the signs and symptoms of diaper rash and what you can do to prevent and treat it.

Find out about the different causes of constipation and how you can help your child relieve it with diet, toilet training and/or medicines.

Learn about types of abnormal-looking stool, what causes changes in the appearance of stool and when to seek medical attention.

A hernia is a bulge created by an organ or tissue near the belly or the groin. Discover what causes hernias, signs and symptoms to watch for and how they are treated.

Appendicitis is a swelling of the appendix due to a blockage or infection. Learn more about appendicitis, which usually requires a surgery called appendectomy.

Learn what causes pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas), what the signs and symptoms are and what treatments are available.