The Pediatric Microvascular Limb Preservation Team from left to right: Westley Ohman, MD, Alison Snyder-Warwick, MD, Mitchell Pet, MD, and Baddr Shakhsheer, MD
The Pediatric Microvascular Limb Preservation Team at St. Louis Children’s Hospital is an experienced, multidisciplinary team of specialty surgeons who help maintain or re-establish blood flow to the extremities in infants and children. Because of the smaller size of blood vessels in children, microsurgical techniques are necessary to achieve the best outcomes.
Our team of plastic surgeons (pediatric microsurgery and hand surgery), vascular surgeons, and pediatric general/trauma surgeons works collaboratively to ensure optimal care for challenging scenarios that threaten blood flow to the arms or legs or for other pediatric vascular emergencies. Examples of challenging problems include blood clots, traumatic injury, arteriovenous fistulas (connections between an artery and vein), tumors involving blood vessels, and aneurysms, to name a few. When vascular problems arise, our team is ready to work collaboratively to identify the best solution for your child.
Conditions We Treat
The Pediatric Microvascular Limb Preservation Team is prepared to treat a variety of conditions.
Congenital
Narrowing (stenosis) of blood vessels
Arteriovenous fistula (connection between an artery and vein
Aneurysms (outpouching of blood vessel wall) not located in the brain
Coarctations
Differences in blood vessels from birth
Traumatic
Injury to the blood vessels of any cause
Arteriovenous fistula (connection between an artery and vein)
Pseudoaneurysm (outpouching of blood vessel wall)
Thrombus or embolus (blood clot)
Traumatic limb amputation
Reconstruction
Thrombus or embolus (blood clot)
Renal artery stenosis (narrowing)
Renovascular hypertension (narrowing in artery to kidney that results in high blood pressure)
Pseudoaneurysm (outpouching of blood vessel wall) after infection
Tumors involving the blood vessels
Types of Treatment
Your child’s treatment will be tailored to her/his needs, depending on his/her specific circumstances. For most children with these types of microvascular conditions, surgery is often the mainstay of treatment. Blood thinners may also be given with or without surgery. Our team of doctors will discuss options with you to determine the best plan for your child.
Treatment Team
Regardless of the vascular emergency or problem, our team of pediatric experts is dedicated to finding the best solution for your child. With specialists from Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Vascular Surgery, and Pediatric Trauma Surgery, our team works together to collectively ensure your child receives the best care possible.
