The Department of Pediatric Thoracic Surgery specializes in the diagnosis and surgical management of congenital and pediatric diseases involving the heart, lungs, esophagus, aorta, mediastinum, diaphragm, and trachea.
Our clinical practice is broadly divided into two major areas: congenital and pediatric cardiac surgery and pediatric general thoracic surgery.
First, in the cardiac field, we provide surgical treatment for a wide spectrum of congenital heart diseases, including non-cyanotic conditions such as patent ductus arteriosus, atrial septal defect, ventricular septal defect, and coarctation of the aorta, as well as cyanotic conditions such as tetralogy of Fallot, pulmonary valve disorders (including pulmonary stenosis and pulmonary atresia), and hypoplastic left heart syndrome. This field also encompasses the management of cardiac dysfunction and heart failure, as well as heart transplantation. As congenital heart disease requires lifelong care, we also provide comprehensive management for adult patients with congenital heart disease.
Second, the pediatric general thoracic field addresses diseases of the lungs, esophagus, mediastinum, and diaphragm, as well as chest wall deformities—including pectus excavatum—and pediatric solid tumors involving intrathoracic organs. This field also includes lung transplantation in pediatric and adolescent patients.
At Seoul National University Hospital, the Department of Pediatric Thoracic Surgery has achieved significant advances over the past five decades through the accumulation of clinical experience and continuous innovation in medical technology. These efforts have led to substantial progress in preoperative evaluation, perioperative management, and postoperative intensive care. Our clinical outcomes and academic contributions place us among the leading congenital heart disease centers worldwide.
With improving surgical outcomes and increasing long-term survival, the population of patients with congenital heart disease now extends well into adulthood. Accordingly, we provide comprehensive care across all age groups—from neonates to adults—including reinterventions, reoperations, and lifelong follow-up. We are also actively engaged in cardiac rehabilitation programs and related clinical research to optimize long-term outcomes.
Our current clinical focus includes early complete repair of complex congenital heart defects, minimization of neurological complications during neonatal and infant aortic arch surgery, and optimization of staged Fontan procedures for single-ventricle physiology. In addition, to address the shortage of donor hearts in pediatric patients, we have introduced long-term paracorporeal ventricular assist device (VAD) support as a bridge to transplantation. This strategy aims to improve pre-transplant condition and reduce waiting-list mortality.
We also operate a one-stop prenatal consultation system for expectant mothers carrying fetuses suspected of having congenital heart disease. This integrated program allows patients to receive obstetric evaluation and counseling in the morning, followed by detailed fetal echocardiography and multidisciplinary consultation with pediatric cardiology and congenital cardiac surgery specialists in the afternoon—all within a single day.
In the field of pediatric general thoracic surgery, we are pioneers in thoracoscopic surgery for pediatric lung diseases in Korea. Since performing the nation’s first thoracoscopic lobectomy in children in 2005, we have achieved world-class outcomes, currently applying minimally invasive thoracoscopic techniques in approximately 90% of cases. For chest wall deformities such as pectus excavatum and pectus carinatum, we perform minimally invasive corrective procedures (Nuss procedure), achieving excellent functional and cosmetic results.
Furthermore, we actively manage pediatric thoracic malignancies, including neuroblastoma, mediastinal tumors, and metastatic lung tumors, drawing on extensive surgical experience. Advanced techniques such as endoscopic and robotic surgery are increasingly incorporated into our practice. We also perform lung transplantation in selected pediatric patients with end-stage lung disease refractory to medical therapy.
1. Major Conditions
• Congenital cardiovascular diseases
• Chronic heart failure
• Congenital heart disease in adult patients (adult congenital heart disease)
• Pediatric lung diseases
• Congenital lung diseases
• Pneumothorax
• Thoracic cage disorders
• Chest wall deformities (pectus excavatum, pectus carinatum)
• Mediastinal tumors
• Pediatric thoracic tumors
• Esophageal diseases
• Hyperhidrosis
2. Important Notes Before Making an Appointment
• Please review each physician’s area of specialization before making an appointment.
3. Important Notes Before Your Visit
• First-time visitors to our hospital are required to bring a referral letter.
• If you have previously received care at another medical institution, please bring your medical records, test results, and imaging studies (such as echocardiography, CT, MRI, and X-ray), as these will assist in your evaluation.
• Upon arrival, please check in at the Pediatric Thoracic Surgery nursing station, where you will receive guidance on the consultation process.
• Your height and weight will be measured prior to the consultation. Additional tests may be required after evaluation, and depending on the patient’s age and general condition, sedation may be necessary. Some tests may require prior scheduling.
• If surgery is indicated, you will receive further consultation and be scheduled for the procedure after your visit.