Gastric procedures, like weight loss surgery or irritable bowel disease treatments, are more commonly performed on adult patients. However, certain medical conditions involving the stomach or intestinal tract may require a child to undergo a gastric surgical or diagnostic procedure.

For example, an appendectomy (removal of the appendix) may be necessary if a child develops infection or inflammation of the appendix. A child who has severe constipation or fecal incontinence that other treatments have failed to correct may need a cecostomy.

Though not as common in pediatric patients, another pediatric gastric procedure is gastric banding surgery. For teens with severe obesity, this weight loss surgery might be necessary if diet and exercise have not been effective.