Children's Surgery with Sanitas

Children are not scaled-down adults. Tissue heals differently, anaesthetic risks differ, growth plates in bones must not be damaged, and a frightened six-year-old is a different proposition from a frightened forty-year-old.

Why it needs to be a paediatric surgeon

Children's bodies are not scaled-down adult ones. Tissue heals differently, anaesthetic doses and risks differ, growth plates in bones must not be damaged, and a child's ability to understand and cooperate is entirely different.

A paediatric surgeon and a paediatric anaesthetist do this every day. For anything beyond the very simplest procedure, that is worth travelling for.

The common operations

Hernias, particularly in babies. Undescended testicles. Circumcision where there is a medical reason. Tongue tie affecting feeding. Appendix removal, usually as an emergency. Removing lumps and cysts. Correcting congenital problems found at or before birth.

Tonsils and grommets normally sit with ENT rather than here, though some clinics overlap.

Waiting periods for children

The same rules apply as for adults. Consultations immediately. Outpatient procedures after 3 months. Anything needing a hospital bed after 10 months. Emergencies from day one, which covers appendicitis and injuries.

Newborns added to an existing family policy are generally covered without a fresh waiting period, but check how your specific plan handles it before the birth rather than after.

See every Sanitas waiting period in one place, including how switching from another insurer waives nearly all of them.

Where the paediatric surgeons are

98 clinics across 28 provinces, with 136 named specialists between them – and you can book the consultation yourself, without a referral.

• Barcelona – 22 clinics, 27 surgeons
• Madrid – 12 clinics, 40 surgeons
• Malaga – 9 clinics, 7 surgeons
• Valencia – 8 clinics, 7 surgeons
• Balearics – 4 clinics, 6 surgeons

Only 28 provinces have one. If you live outside those, expect to travel, and for children's surgery that is the right call anyway.

Language at the appointment

With a child involved, understanding every word is not optional. Ask us and we will check who is near you and what languages they work in.

What you pay

Nothing on a no-co-payment plan once waiting periods have passed. A fixed amount per appointment on a co-payment plan.

Find a paediatric surgeon near you

Browse paediatric surgeons in the Sanitas directory – by province, with addresses, phone numbers and a map.