Skilled surgeons at Riley Children’s Health perform the full array of pediatric surgeries and also lead the hospital’s Level I Pediatric Trauma Center. Our surgical team continues to increase the use of minimally invasive surgical techniques, including thoracoscopy, laparoscopy and robotic surgery, as well as therapeutic interventions, such as extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). PEDIATRIC SURGERY
RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS
■ Riley Children’s Health Pediatric Surgery Basic Science Research Laboratory – With continuous funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and other major funders, the lab, directed by Troy A. Markel, MD , studies necrotizing enterocolitis and its impact on premature infants. Final preclinical testing is underway to launch a clinical trial of stem cells as a therapeutic option for infants with the disease. ■ Participant in NIH-funded ENRICH-US—the largest study ever for the implementation of ERAS protocols for intestinal surgery in children.
TOP DISTINCTIONS
Specialized programs
Advanced procedures ■ Nerve cryoablation for pain control in pectus reconstruction or thoracic surgery – Procedure provides analgesia of the intercostal nerves, allowing for early discharge within 24 hours of surgery compared to traditional four-day length of stay. ■ Malone Antegrade Continence Enema (MACE) tube placements treat fecal incontinence. Quality and safety initiatives ■ Initiated a surgery-first protocol to treat choledocholithiasis that decreases cost by reducing unnecessary testing and length of stay. ■ Converted simple appendicitis
Parenteral Support and Intestinal Rehabilitation (PAIR) Program ■ Multidisciplinary team optimizes intestinal adaptation and improves outcomes for children with intestinal failure and short bowel syndrome. Chest Wall Program ■ Specialists focus on diagnosis and treatment of congenital and acquired chest wall conditions. Center for Colorectal and Urogenital Health ■ Children with complex colorectal and urogenital anomalies benefit from comprehensive care from Riley surgeons and medical specialists. Adolescent Bariatric Surgery Program ■ Riley Children’s launched this comprehensive program in June 2025.
■ Leader in developing protocols and conducting research to achieve early return of gastrointestinal function after surgery (ERAS) ■ First in Indiana to provide cryoablation analgesia for pain control in chest wall and lung surgery ■ Member of the Midwest Pediatric Surgery Consortium ; 11-hospital collaborative established to improve standard of surgical care for rare conditions through study of clinical outcomes ■ Member of the Pediatric Surgical Oncology Research Collaborative ; engaged in study of surgery-focused guidelines for childhood tumors
NOTABLE PUBLICATIONS
In 2024, our pediatric surgery team facilitated more than 965 outpatient visits at Riley Children’s statewide outreach locations—offering specialized care closer to home for more patients.
27 research publications in 2024
Journal of the American College of Surgeons: January 2024 Effect of oral chondroitin sulfate supplementation on acute brain injury in a murine necrotizing enterocolitis model Journal of Pediatric Surgery: January 2024
Transversus abdominis plane block vs. local wound infiltration for elective minimally invasive cholecystectomy in children (prospective randomized trial) Journal of Perinatology: December 2024 Initial surgery for spontaneous intestinal perforation in extremely low birth weight infants is not associated with mortality or in-hospital morbidities Pediatric Blood and Cancer: April 2025 Current surgical approach: Extracranial malignant germ cell tumors ASAIO Journal: January 2025 Early use experience of the crescent right atrial cannula for neonatal veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation
cases to strictly outpatient procedures to reduce length of stay and improve patient experience.
Pediatric General Surgery Volume: 2023 – 2024
Our ECMO program is designated a Platinum Level Center of Excellence by the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization.
Riley Hospital for Children is verified as a Level I Children’s Surgery Center by the American College of Surgeons (ACS).
DIVISION CHIEF Alan P. Ladd, MD, MBA Anna Olivia Healey Professor of Pediatric Surgery, IU School of Medicine > Connect with Dr. Ladd on Doximity.
Operating room cases
Outpatient visits
4,138
4,138
4,010
4,010
3,530
3,530
3,480
3,480
10 board certified surgeons
See full team member list >
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Annual Report 2024 – 2025
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