Pediatric Surgery

I have worked extensively with children, particularly at Necker–Enfants–Malades Hospital in Paris, within the craniofacial malformations and general surgery departments. All physicians who care for children agree on one point : their remarkable ability to learn, understand instructions, and their very rapid recovery. Unlike adults, children do not have the same psychological barriers and they heal much faster.

The specific aspect of pediatric care lies in the fact that children will continue to grow. Therefore, every surgical gesture must take into account future changes related to growth. The procedures I perform for children take place either in the office, in the presence of one parent, or at Clinique des Grangettes, which is perfectly equipped to ensure their comfort.

• Malformations
• Nevi and angiomas
• Scars

The most common malformation is protruding ears, which result from insufficient folding of the ear cartilage, an excessive angle between the ear and the skull, or a combination of both.

Other malformations do exist, but when they are significant, they are treated during the first years of life in specialized hospital departments : cleft lip and palate, ear agenesis, extra fingers or webbed fingers, and many others.

I therefore mainly manage minor malformations or sequelae of more complex malformations that have already been treated elsewhere.

Moles

Some moles are harmless, while others require careful monitoring or surgical intervention. When a congenital nevus is large, irregular, or located on an exposed area such as the face, surgical excision may be considered to prevent problematic evolution. The goal : remove the lesion precisely, while ensuring that the child’s harmonious growth is preserved.

The larger a congenital nevus grows with the child, the more visible and complex it becomes to remove. During adolescence, a period when physical appearance is particularly sensitive, surgery often results in a more noticeable scar. Ideally, intervention should be performed before the age of 4, when the skin still has a strong regenerative capacity. When performed in the first months of life, the procedure may even leave no visible trace, as healing blends seamlessly with the natural evolution of the dermis.

Excision is performed under local anesthesia in the office for simple lesions, or under general anesthesia in a clinic when the size or depth of the nevus requires it, or when the child is very young.

The preliminary consultation allows for an assessment of the appropriateness of a surgical procedure or the option of simple monitoring.

Protruding ears

Protruding ears are not merely an aesthetic detail. From the age of 6 to 7 years, they can become a source of teasing and loss of self confidence. Surgery for protruding ears helps correct this condition and restore facial harmony.

Depending on the child’s age and ear anatomy, I offer two adapted techniques :

• Classic technique : a discreet incision behind the ear allows the cartilage to be reshaped and the ear repositioned. This approach is ideal for complex cases or marked asymmetries. A headband is worn for a few days to protect the ears and support proper healing.
• EarFold : a quick, minimally invasive method performed under local anesthesia, using small implants to reposition the ear instantly. This option is suitable for children with moderate deformities.

Each child is unique, and the choice of technique is made after a careful assessment of the cartilage and the expectations of the parents. The objective is to achieve a natural and stable result over time, fully compatible with the growth of the face.