Pediatric Robotic Surgery

​Children's Hospital Los Angeles is one of the first in the nation to move beyond traditional laparoscopic surgery to provide robotic-assisted laparoscopic surgery for children. Our surgeons have performed more than 400 robotic surgeries, making our Robotic Surgery Program one of the most experienced centers in the United States. 

We are the only hospital in Southern California to have a dedicated surgical robot for children, and are home to one of the few robots in the world being used to provide minimally-invasive surgery exclusively for kids.

About the Program

Children's Hospital Los Angeles uses the da Vinci Surgical System. Our surgeons are among a select few in the United States certified and actively promoted by Intuitive Surgical as pediatric robotic surgeons, having successfully completed the requisite number of surgeries using the required robotic system.

Robotic surgery may not be appropriate for every child. Our surgeons are available to discuss your child's individual needs. 

Gratitude for Our Supporters

We are grateful for our partnership with the generous Joseph P. Gould Foundation, which helped us initiate the minimally-invasive, robotic surgery program in 2008 and for the Douglas Foundation’s gift in 2015 to continue offering this unique program.

Benefits of Robotic Surgery

The benefits of robotic surgery include:

  • Smaller incisions
  • Shorter hospital stays
  • Decreased postsurgery pain medication requirements
  • Improved cosmetic appearance after surgery

Click here to learn more.

Robotic Procedures

Below is a list of pediatric surgical procedures for which the da Vinci robot can be used.

Medical Specialty

Cardiac Surgery

  • Aortic Coarctation
  • Aortic Ring Dissection
  • ASD Repair
  • Epicardial Lead Placement
  • Mitral Valve Repair
  • Patent Ductus Arteriosis (PDA)
  • Pulmonary Artery Banding
  • Thymectomy

Pediatric Gynecology

  • Hysterectomy
  • Myomectomy
  • Ovarian Cyst Removal
  • Removal of Congenital Gynecologic Anomalies

Pediatric Surgery

  • Choledochal Cyst
  • Cholecystecomy
  • Colectomy w/ pull through
  • Esophageal Resection
  • Gastric tube placement
  • Heller Myotomy 
  • Imperforate Anus Repair
  • Kasai (Portoenterostomy)
  • MACE Procedure
  • Morgagni Hernia Repair 
  • Nissen Fundoplication
  • Pyloroplasty
  • Splenectomy

Pediatric Urology

  • Adrenalectomy
  • Bladder Augmentation
  • Bladder Cuff Excision 
  • Bladder Neck Suspension
  • Mitrofanaoff (Appendicovesicostomy)
  • Nephrectomy
  • Orchiectomy (Intra-abdominal)
  • Orchiopexy
  • Partial Nephrectomy
  • Pyeloplasty 
  • Retroperitoneal Lymph Node Dissection
  • Urachal Cyst Excision
  • Ureteral Reimplantation
  • Ureterectomy
  • Urethral Sling Placement
  • Varicocelectomy