In conjunction with  Pediatric Surgeons of Phoenix, Phoenix Children’s Hospital has developed an inflammatory bowel disease program to care for children. Under the direction of Dr. Gary Silber, the program has brought state-of-the art care to children in the Southwest with Crohn’s and Ulcerative Colitis.

Several of our surgeons have special expertise in treating children with inflammatory bowel disease.

Dr. Lisa McMahon trained at the Mayo Clinic under the world renowned Dr Young-Fadok.  In 2007, Dr. McMahon performed the first pediatric laparoscopic total proctocolectomy in Arizona which is now the standard surgery for ulcerative colitis patients.  Prior to her arrival, the operation was done through an open surgery.  Phoenix Children’s Hospital’s investment in specialized equipment and staff provided the right environment to start offering a minimally invasive approach to advanced colon surgery. By the end 2007, all total colectomy surgeries at PCH were performed laparoscopically.

As a part of her commitment caring for children with IBD, Dr McMahon serves as a member of the Medical Advisory Committee for the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America/Southwest Chapter.

Dr. David Notrica has cared for children with IBD in Arizona since 1999.  In conjunction with Dr. McMahon and our seven other board certified pediatric surgeons, the group is committed to optimizing outcomes for patients diagnosed with IBD.

With several years of follow-up on those patients, the benefits of our approach to minimally invasive surgeries can be seen — Shorter operative times, smaller scars, less pain, quicker recovery, and better outcomes.  In addition to the visibly smaller scars for the patients, the surgeons benefited from the better, halogen-based surgical lights and high definition (HD) laparoscopes.  The cameras also allowed for better magnification during the procedures allowing the surgeons to see the delicate planes and structures more easily.  This translates into better accuracy with less manipulation of surrounding structures.

The IBD Clinic offers coordinated care between the gastroenterologists and surgeons whose primary focus is optimizing care for these young patients.  Medical treatment of IBD has changed radically in the last 5 years, and the IBD Clinic physicians are dedicated to staying up-to-date.   Understanding the results of clinical trials and the potential implications for children is key to optimal outcomes.

An entire new class of drugs (termed “biologic agents) have been introduced to treat IBD.  (See discussion of inflixamab).  As the effectiveness and side effects of newer biologic agents become established, your specialist will know which ones are right for your child, and when to start treatment.  Unlike other drugs, the decision to start a biologic agent requires an experienced specialist who can help weigh the risks of these new drugs against potential benefits.