Neonatal Surgery requires precise timing, interdisciplinary collaboration, and highly specialised perioperative care to support newborns with congenital anomalies, surgical emergencies, and complex postoperative needs. This session explores the clinical, developmental, and family-centred dimensions of surgical care for neonates across intensive-care and community settings.

Surgeons, neonatologists, and perioperative teams often seek an Neonatology Conference to review updated surgical techniques, anaesthetic strategies, and pathway-based management for conditions such as congenital diaphragmatic hernia, gastroschisis, omphalocele, necrotising enterocolitis, tracheoesophageal fistula, and various thoracic and abdominal anomalies. Participants will explore preoperative stabilisation, cardiopulmonary optimisation, thermoregulation, fluid management, and infection-prevention principles tailored to neonatal physiology.

A major focus is developing integrated pediatric neonatal surgical pathways that strengthen communication between surgical teams, anaesthetists, NICU clinicians, and family members. Case examples highlight postoperative care transitions, pain management, respiratory support, early enteral feeding, developmental protection, and early-intervention referrals. Emphasis is placed on minimising complications, supporting bonding despite medical complexity, and addressing long-term follow-up needs, including growth, feeding, and neurodevelopment.

Equity considerations include limited surgical capacity in many regions, challenges in neonatal transport, and the importance of regional surgical centres. Participants will explore practical strategies for stabilising neonates pre-transport and strengthening referral networks. By the end, attendees will understand how coordinated, developmentally attuned surgical care improves both survival and quality of life.