Areas of clinical and surgical expertise for international referrals
As Canada's most research-intensive hospital and the largest centre dedicated to improving children's health in the country, SickKids accepts eligible international referrals for complex, rare and highly specialized paediatric conditions where advanced subspecialty expertise is required.
Referrals are reviewed by designated clinical leads to ensure timely assessment and appropriate matching to subspecialty expertise.
Key areas of expertise
Cardiovascular Surgery
Surgical Correction
- Valve sparing surgical repair and RVOT stenting for tetralogy of Fallot
- Sutureless repair for pulmonary vein stenosis (PVS)
- Double-switch procedures for congenitally corrected transposition (ccTGA)
- Unifocalisation of MAPCA in complex pulmonary atresia
- Primary repair of multiple VSDs
- Complex biventricular repair
- Complex valve reconstruction including Ebstein's anomaly
Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery
- Axillary approach for Atrial Septal Defects, Partial AVSD and Valve Repair
- Thorascopic sympathectomy for ventricular arrhythmia
- Minimally invasive congenital heart surgery
Mechanical Circulatory Support
- All intra-corporeal and para-corporeal systems
Hybrid Procedures
- Complex pulmonary artery and venous reconstruction, including major aortopulmonary collateral arteries and pulmonary vein stenosis
- Norwood for borderline left ventricle (LV)
- Device closure of ventricular septal defects (VSDs)
We are especially well positioned to address Tetralogy of Fallot and Transposition of the Great Vessels.
Dentistry
Oral Anomalies
- Oral rehabilitation of congenital enamel or dentin anomalies
- Endosseous implant restoration for oral clefts and craniofacial conditions
- Multidisciplinary management of implant-mediated tooth replacement in young adults, including same-day oral rehabilitation with implants and implant-supported restorations
- Craniofacial orthodontic correction
- Mandibular opening appliance therapy to maintain or extend oral opening in conjunction with ankylosis release surgery
- Orthodontic airway appliance therapy for infants with Pierre Robin Sequence to avoid surgery and reduce time to discharge
- Surgical management of jaw cysts and tumours
- Correction of acquired or developmental dentofacial deformities
Dental Caries
- Comprehensive oral rehabilitation of severe early childhood dental caries
- Management of medically complex children with dental disease
Dental Trauma
- Acute surgical management of dental traumatic injuries
Our strength is providing expert planning and set up for orthognathic and craniofacial surgery as well as dental care for children with complex medical conditions.
General and Thoracic Surgery
Esophagus
- Surgical management of esophageal atresia
- Surgical management of tracheo-esophageal fistulae
Anorectal Anomalies, Hernia
- Surgical management of anorectal anomalies including Hirschprung’s disease
- Surgical management of congenital diaphragmatic hernias
GI and Hepatobiliary Disorders
- Surgical management of complex gastrointestinal disorders
- Surgical management of complex hepatobiliary disorders
Thorax and Abnormal Conditions
- Surgical management of thoracic, pulmonary and abdominal anomalies and tumors
- Correction of pectus anomalies and breast lesions
Minimally invasive surgery
We have world class expertise in esophageal atresia and tracheo-esophageal fistula repair.
Neurosurgery
Brain and Spinal Tumors
- Evaluation and surgical management of brain and spinal tumors
- Evaluation and surgical management of rare malignant paediatric embryonal brain tumors
Epilepsy, Movement and Neurophysiological Disorders
- Surgical management of complex epilepsy, including lobectomy and hemispherectomy
- Evaluation and surgical management of movement disorders, including dystonia and spasticity
- Neuromodulation, including deep brain stimulation, for self-injurious behaviour, movement disorders, epilepsy and spasticity
- Dorsal rhizotomy for complex neurophysiological disorders
Vascular Conditions of the Brain and Spinal Cord
- Surgical and endovascular management of arteriovenous malformations and pediatric cerebral aneurysms
- Surgical revascularization for Moyamoya disease
- Surgical management of Vein of Galen malformations
We provide state of the art and innovative care in managing paediatric embryonal brain tumours and complex epilepsy.
Ophthalmology
Corneal Reinnervation, Strabismus, Eyelid, Oculoplastic
- Corneal neurotization for neurotrophic keratopathy and corneal anaesthesia
- Surgical correction of strabismus
- Oculoplastic surgery for reconstruction of eyelid deformities
Retina
- Surgical management of Retinoblastoma
- Surgical management of complex retinal and vitreo-retinal conditions
- Diagnosis and management of retinal dystrophies
Keratoconus, Cornea, Glaucoma
- Surgical management of Keratoconus
- Surgical management of corneal reconstruction including corneal cross-linking and corneal transplant
- Corneal transplantation in infants and young children
- Surgical management of Glaucoma
We have developed new innovative approaches to corneal anaesthesia and to the management of retinoblastoma. For more information, please visit the program
Orthopaedic Surgery
Scoliosis and Spinal Deformities
- Re-alignment of spinal deformities
Lower Extremity and Cerebral Palsy
- Surgical correction of lower extremity deformities including hip, alignment, leg length discrepancy, foot & ankle
- Surgical treatment of cerebral palsy and neuromuscular disease
Bone Cancers and Metabolic Conditions
- Excision of pediatric bone and soft tissue cancers and surgical reconstruction
- Treatment of congenital, genetic / metabolic skeletal conditions, including skeletal dysplasia & osteogenesis imperfecta
Our world class expertise is in the management of complex spine deformities and in the management of boney and soft tissue sarcomas.
Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery
Cochlear Implant, Hearing Aid
- Cochlear implant and bone anchored hearing aid surgery
Otologic Surgery, Airway
- Endoscopic otologic surgery including cholesteatoma surgery
- Evaluation & surgical management of complex airway disorders including laryngotracheal birth defects & injuries
Voice Disorders, Sinus and Central Skull
- Evaluation and surgical management of voice disorders including recurrent respiratory papillomatosis
- Endoscopic sinus and central skull base surgery
Head and Neck
- Surgical excision of tumors of the head and neck
Our strengths include cochlear implant surgery and endoscopic otologic and sinus surgery.
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
Facial Paralysis, Corneal Reinnervation
- Facial paralysis reconstruction, including muscle transplantation for facial reanimation
- Corneal reinnervation surgery
Injuries of the Brachial Plexus, Spinal Cord
- Surgical reconstruction of the brachial plexus
- Nerve reconstruction in infancy for brachial plexus birth injury
- Nerve transfer surgery for spinal cord injuries
Craniofacial Conditions, Facial Clefts, Ear Injuries and Anomalies
- Surgical management of complex craniofacial conditions including encephalocoele
- Reconstruction for severe craniofacial anomalies
- Surgical correction of congenital facial clefts
- Surgical reconstruction of ear anomalies (Microtia) and traumatic ear injuries
Hand, Limb and Burn Injuries
- Reconstructive surgery following burn injuries
- Reconstructive surgery for complex anomalies and injuries of the hand and extremities
- Microsurgical reconstruction for a wide range of deformities
We have world class programs in facial paralysis reconstruction and obstetrical brachial plexus reconstruction.
Urology
Currently accepting requests for Medical Second Opinion only. Urology service will resume accepting referrals for elective surgery as capacity permits.
Hypospadias, Bladder
- Primary and revisionary surgery for hypospadias
- Surgical correction of renal and bladder anomalies, including bladder exstrophy
Incontinence, Kidney and Urinary Tract
- Surgical management of neuro incontinence with restoration of bowel and bladder control
- Surgical management of tumors of the kidney and urinary tract
- Surgical management of complex kidney stones
Kidney Transplant
- Living related kidney transplantation
Our team has particular expertise in both primary and revisionary hypospadias surgery, bladder exstrophy and the correction of neuro incontinence.