The Pediatric Vascular Surgery Program at Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of conditions affecting a child’s arteries and veins, including narrowing, blockage, injury or compression that disrupts healthy blood flow. Traditionally considered an adult specialty, vascular surgery requires a different approach for pediatric patients because children’s blood vessels are smaller, their bodies are still developing and many interventions commonly used in adults are not appropriate for growing patients.
At Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital, providers affiliated with McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston provide specialized vascular care to infants, children and teens within a dedicated pediatric hospital environment. Treatment plans are designed with long-term durability in mind, recognizing that many vascular conditions require ongoing monitoring and continuity of care as a child grows and develops.
Children may be referred to the Pediatric Vascular Surgery Program for evaluation when there are concerns related to blood flow. This includes changes in pulse strength between limbs, differences in skin color or temperature, pain or swelling in an extremity or suspected vascular injury following IV placement, central lines or catheterization (a procedure often performed by cardiology or interventional radiology). Children with ongoing symptoms related to blood vessel compression in the chest or abdomen may also benefit from evaluation.
The goal of our team is to restore healthy blood flow in the safest, most effective and most durable way for a growing child. Each case is carefully assessed to determine the most appropriate course of care.
We treat rare and complex conditions, including:
Vascular injuries and trauma
Blood flow problems and blockage
Compression syndromes
Congenital and complex vessel conditions
Vascular access needs
Every child’s condition is evaluated individually. Diagnostic evaluation focuses on understanding blood flow, vessel anatomy and the underlying cause of symptoms so that the most appropriate treatment plan can be developed.
Imaging and diagnostics: Advanced imaging plays a central role in evaluation and may include duplex ultrasound interpreted by a dedicated registered physician in vascular interpretation, as well as CT angiography, MR angiography, MR venography and angiography when clinically indicated. Imaging is selected carefully to provide the necessary information while minimizing risk and unnecessary testing. All imaging can be performed at Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital, and we do our best to coordinate it with other appointments as much as possible.
Multidisciplinary team-based care: Most patients benefit from multidisciplinary review. Complex cases are discussed collaboratively with care coordinated in advance of clinic visits to allow for the appropriate specialists to be involved. Multidisciplinary meetings are held regularly to review challenging cases and align treatment plans. Depending on a child’s specific condition, the care team may include pediatric surgeons, vascular surgeons, interventional radiologists, plastic surgeons, cardiologists, congenital cardiac surgeons, gastroenterologists and orthopedic specialists. This team-based approach allows for comprehensive evaluation and coordinated care within a pediatric-focused setting.
Many vascular conditions are managed without surgery. If surgery is needed, we focus on solutions that are durable for a child who is still growing.
Common procedures performed by our program include:
Some procedures can be performed minimally invasively, including:
We also offer a hybrid operating room, which supports imaging in the operating room and allows combined approaches for a safer solution.
Your child’s care is coordinated through the pediatric surgery clinic with the appropriate consultants involved in advance of your visit or present during the visit when needed. Imaging can often be obtained before the visit or on the same day to reduce extra appointments.
Our multidisciplinary team consists of these specialists affiliated with McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston:
Before your child’s first appointment, our team reviews the referral and any available imaging. When imaging has already been completed, those studies are evaluated in advance. For some elective conditions, families may be asked to obtain imaging prior to the visit to help streamline care.
Each case is reviewed preemptively by the multidisciplinary team to determine which specialists need to be involved. Depending on the condition, this may include one specialty or several. Pediatric vascular surgery clinic visits are typically scheduled on a set day each month, allowing vascular patients to be seen together and supported by a coordinated care team.
For urgent needs, pediatric vascular surgery coverage is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with access to the same multidisciplinary team whenever possible.
If surgery is recommended, preparation is tailored to the child’s diagnosis and individual needs. This process often includes additional imaging and preoperative planning. Families meet with pediatric anesthesiology in advance to provide the safest approach to anesthesia and to answer questions about the procedure.
Families receive detailed presurgery instructions, including:
Our team works closely with patients and families to help them feel more informed and prepared at every step.
On the day of surgery, children arrive at the Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital preoperative area, where care is designed specifically for pediatric patients. Child Life specialists help children feel more comfortable by using play, age-appropriate explanations and calming techniques.
Parents wait in the designated waiting area and receive real-time updates through a secure mobile app, allowing them to follow their child’s progress throughout the procedure. The surgical team speaks with parents both before and after surgery to review the plan of care and discuss next steps.
Child Life and Expressive Therapies specialists are part of every pediatric surgical experience. They help children understand what to expect through demonstrations with dolls, medical play and visual aids. Specialists may hold a child’s hand during IV placement, provide distraction with videos or games, and offer emotional support throughout the process. Their goal is to reduce fear and help children feel safe and supported.
Recovery time depends on the procedure performed. Most children stay in the hospital for a few days following surgery and may require blood-thinning medication as part of their recovery plan.
Follow-up typically includes:
In most cases, children are expected to return to school and normal activities over time, with the goal of resuming full activity whenever safely possible.
Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital is committed to supporting your family throughout your child’s diagnosis, treatment and recovery. In addition to specialized medical care, families have access to a wide range of supportive services designed to address emotional, practical and educational needs at every stage of care:
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If you have any questions, use the online tool below to help us connect with you. To schedule an appointment, please contact our clinic using the information below:
Pediatric General & Thoracic Surgery
6410 Fannin Street, Suite 950
Houston, Texas 77030
(832) 325-7234
Office Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Monday-Friday except major holidays)
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