The pediatric surgeons at UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital are internationally recognized leaders in the fields of pediatric surgical cancer, minimally invasive surgery and birth defects. Children from throughout the United States and from other countries have been brought to San Francisco to take advantage of our special expertise. UCSF has also pioneered work in treating severe birth defects in children before they are born, developing procedures that have resulted in healthy newborns and mothers.
Many modern surgical techniques and modern technologies — developed by UCSF physicians — allow many procedures to be performed with miniature instruments and tiny scopes or video cameras that are inserted through small incisions in the body. The surgeon can make repairs by watching a monitor and moving the instruments. The advantages of this method are numerous. There is less pain, faster recovery and minimized scarring. For many patients, these minimally invasive procedures minimize some of the risks associated with open surgeries. Hospital stays are also shorter than ever before.
The Chest Wall Deformity clinic specializes in pectus excavatum, the most common chest wall deformity in children. Pectus excavatum occurs more frequently in boys than in girls and results from abnormal growth of the cartilage - the soft, flexible tissue attached to the sternum or breastbone — causing the chest wall to curve inward. Pectus excavatum often is apparent at birth but typically becomes more severe over time. In most children, this deformity poses no health risk and surgical repair is done primarily for cosmetic reasons.
Our hernia surgery clinic is a leader in the minimally invasive repair of inguinal hernias. Children, especially babies, present special challenges in surgery because their small size and their responses to illness and surgery. Our pediatric surgeons provide consultation and comprehensive inpatient and outpatient surgical care specifically designed for infants and children.
Appointment form is on UCSF Department of Surgery website.
Pediatric Surgery Clinic
400 Parnassus Ave., Suite A123
San Francisco, CA 94143
Phone: (415) 476-2538
Fax: (415) 476-2929
Hours: Monday to Friday
8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Your child will have a surgical consultation with members of our team. In designing a management and treatment plan for your child, we may also refer you to other specialists, if necessary.
Before your child's scheduled surgery, your doctor will make an appointment for you with the Prepare Clinic, our anesthesia and surgical evaluation program. The Prepare Clinic is designed to make sure your child is ready for surgery and to provide tests and blood work. The appointment includes hospital registration and financial counseling.
Public parking for an hourly fee at UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital is available in the seven-level Millberry Union Garage at 500 Parnassus Ave. There are two garage entrances — one on the north side of Parnassus Avenue and another on Irving Street, just east of Third Avenue.
Another garage with an hourly fee, at 350 Parnassus Ave., is open Monday to Friday from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Metered street parking is rarely available.
Patients being admitted to the hospital may be dropped off at the circular driveway leading to the main entrance at 505 Parnassus Ave. This area also may be used to pick up patients who are being discharged.
For more information about parking at Parnassus, call Campus Parking Services at 476-2566.
Valet parking service is available at the Ambulatory Care Center (ACC) at 400 Parnassus Ave. from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. The valet service is free but patients must pay regular parking fees. For more information about the valet service, call (415) 476-6200.
A UCSF "greeter" also is available at the ACC from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. to assist patients find their way.
UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital is accessible via Muni streetcar line N-Judah*, which stops at Second Avenue and Irving Street, and the following Muni bus lines, which stop in front of the hospital:
For more information about Muni visit, www.sfmuni.com.
* Wheelchair accessible bus routes
