The Surgical Advisory Panel of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), has created referral guidelines to assist general pediatricians in determining when to refer their patients to pediatric surgical specialists.
The family in conjunction with the primary care pediatrician or physician should consider calling the pediatric surgical specialist to discuss whether a consultation is advised and/or weigh the advantages of traveling to a center with a pediatric surgical specialist for surgical care. The full article can be viewed on AMERICAN ACADEMY OF PEDIATRICS Guidelines for Referral to Pediatric Surgical Specialists.
The American Academy of Pediatrics Guidelines for Referral to Pediatric Surgical Specialists
Surgical Advisory Panel
Pediatrics, 2002;110;187