Hi, I’m Dr. Nada, a paediatric surgeon specialising in Keyhole Surgery and based in KL, Malaysia.
23/10/2025
💬 “Do most children need surgery when they see a paediatric surgeon?”
Many parents assume the answer is yes — but actually, it’s false.
As Dr Nada explains:
👉 Around 90% of children who visit his clinic don’t need surgery.
Only about 10% — those with obvious structural problems like hernias — require an operation.
Most children come in with issues such as constipation or abdominal pain, which are usually treated with simple medications or minor adjustments.
So don’t worry — seeing a paediatric surgeon doesn’t mean your child will end up in the operating theatre.
Dr Nada Sudhakaran is a leading paediatric surgeon in Kuala Lumpur, specialising in minimally invasive laparoscopic (keyhole) surgery for children. He is available at Pantai Hospital Kuala Lumpur and Assunta Hospital Petaling Jaya, Malaysia.
Halo, saya Boy dari Indonesia. Saya ingin berbagi pengalaman tentang perjalanan penyembuhan anak saya dan bagaimana kami akhirnya menemukan harapan di Malaysia.
Tahun 2019, anak saya yang berumur empat tahun sering mengalami sakit perut yang sangat parah setiap kali makan. Kami sudah berobat ke beberapa rumah sakit di Indonesia dan akhirnya anak saya didiagnosa memiliki masalah pada saluran pencernaannya. Dokter mengatakan penyakit ini cukup langka, sehingga kami memutuskan mencari perawatan di luar negeri.
Kami memilih Malaysia dan mendapat rekomendasi untuk bertemu Dr. Nada Sudhakaran di Pantai Hospital Kuala Lumpur. Setelah pemeriksaan, Dr. Nada menjelaskan bahawa anak saya menderita Kista Choledochal, dan satu-satunya cara untuk menyembuhkannya adalah melalui pembedahan.
Awalnya kami hanya ingin mencari pendapat kedua, tetapi setelah bertemu langsung dengan Dr. Nada dan melihat penjelasannya yang meyakinkan, kami memutuskan untuk melanjutkan operasi di sana. Operasinya berlangsung selama kira-kira delapan jam - dan hasilnya berhasil 100%.
Sekarang, empat tahun kemudian, anak saya sudah sepenuhnya sembuh dan tumbuh sehat tanpa ada masalah lagi. Saya sangat berterima kasih kepada Dr. Nada atas keahliannya, kepeduliannya, dan ketulusan dalam merawat anak saya. Semoga beliau terus diberi kesuksesan untuk membantu lebih banyak anak seperti anak saya.
Dr. Nada Sudhakaran adalah pakar bedah anak terkemuka di Kuala Lumpur & Petaling Jaya (Malaysia) yang mengkhusus dalam pembedahan minimal invasif (keyhole/laparoskopik & torakoskopik) untuk anak-anak.
It’s a common question from worried parents — and here’s why it happens.
In boys, there’s a small opening in the groin that allows the te**es to descend before birth.
Normally, this closes naturally - but if it doesn’t, a hernia can form as part of the intestine slips through that opening.
In girls, this same passage also exists during development.
If it stays open, a hernia can occur too — though this is much rarer.
🩺 Premature babies are more likely to develop inguinal hernias because their tissues haven’t fully matured.
While we can’t always predict who will get it, knowing the cause helps parents spot it early — before complications arise.
Dr Nada Sudhakaran is a leading paediatric surgeon in Kuala Lumpur, specialising in minimally invasive laparoscopic (keyhole) surgery for children. He is available at Pantai Hospital Kuala Lumpur and Assunta Hospital.
👶 Could your baby’s constant crying be more than just fussiness?
Sometimes, it’s not colic or gas — it could be an inguinal hernia.
Here’s what parents should look for:
• A soft swelling in the groin that appears when your baby cries or strains.
• The swelling may disappear when calm or asleep.
• You might notice a small bulge that can be pushed back in — a clear sign of an inguinal hernia.
Check your baby’s groin and nappy area regularly.
Early diagnosis can prevent complications and relieve discomfort.
Dr Nada Sudhakaran explains how minimally invasive keyhole surgery offers a safe, quick recovery with tiny scars and minimal pain.
Dr Nada Sudhakaran is a leading paediatric surgeon in Kuala Lumpur, specialising in minimally invasive laparoscopic (keyhole) surgery for children. He is available at Pantai Hospital Kuala Lumpur and Assunta Hospital.
It could be harmless or it could be an inguinal hernia.
This happens when part of the intestine or fat slips through an opening that didn’t close before birth.
You might notice a soft swelling that appears when your baby cries, coughs, or strains and then disappears when calm.
It’s much more common in boys because of how the testicles descend before birth.
Early diagnosis is key to avoid complications.
Dr Nada Sudhakaran explains what parents need to know and how minimally invasive keyhole surgery can fix it safely with faster recovery and almost invisible scars.
---
Dr Nada Sudhakaran is a leading paediatric surgeon in Kuala Lumpur, specialising in minimally invasive laparoscopic (keyhole) surgery for children. He is available at Pantai Hospital Kuala Lumpur and Assunta Hospital.
Parents often ask whether a hernia in children is dangerous if it doesn’t cause pain. The truth is, even without pain, a hernia can still pose risks.
In this video, Dr Nada explains:
- Why hernias form in children
- Why some hernias cause pain while others don’t
- How hernias can still become dangerous even when painless
- Risks to the intestine and te**es if a hernia is left untreated
- Why hernias should be repaired early in both boys and girls.
All hernias in children need surgical repair — sooner rather than later — to prevent serious complications.
Like and share this video so more parents understand why hernias should never be ignored.
Dr. Nada Sudhakaran is a leading paediatric surgeon in Kuala Lumpur & Petaling Jaya (Malaysia), specialising in minimally invasive laparoscopic (keyhole) and thoracoscopic surgery for children.
Is Your Child’s Vomiting Just a Bug or Something Serious?
Vomiting in children can be confusing for parents — sometimes it’s just a simple stomach bug, but in other cases, it may signal something much more serious.
In this video, Dr Nada explains:
- Why babies may vomit due to reflux or tummy upset
-Signs that vomiting could point to a blockage in the intestine
- How to differentiate a tummy bug from appendicitis
- When you should urgently see a paediatric surgeon
If your child is persistently vomiting, especially with worsening pain, it’s best to have them assessed quickly.
Like and share this video so more parents can learn when vomiting is more than just a stomach bug.
Dr. Nada Sudhakaran is a leading paediatric surgeon in Kuala Lumpur & Petaling Jaya (Malaysia), specialising in minimally invasive laparoscopic (keyhole) and thoracoscopic surgery for children.
Can Constipation Look Like Appendicitis in Children?
Parents often ask whether constipation can cause tummy pain that looks like appendicitis. The answer is yes! Constipation is very common in children today, often due to low fibre diets and less water intake.
Key points covered in this video:
- Why constipation is more common now in kids
- How constipation can cause tummy pain across different areas of the abdomen
- How constipation can mimic appendicitis
- When persistent right-sided pain should be investigated
- How blood tests and ultrasound help confirm appendicitis
If your child has ongoing tummy pain, especially on the right lower side, it’s best to have them assessed by a paediatric surgeon.
Like and share this video so more parents can recognise when tummy pain needs urgent attention.
Dr. Nada Sudhakaran is a leading paediatric surgeon in Kuala Lumpur & Petaling Jaya (Malaysia), specialising in minimally invasive laparoscopic (keyhole) and thoracoscopic surgery for children.
Parents often ask: “What are the signs of a serious tummy problem in children?”
The tummy contains many organs – the liver, intestines, kidneys, and bladder – so pain can come from different sources.
- Constipation is the most common issue I see, often from children holding in their stools. Even if they pass motions daily, trapped stools can still cause pain.
- Kidney and bladder problems may cause pain when urinating, blood in the urine, or foul-smelling urine.
- Liver or bile duct problems can cause pain in the upper right abdomen, sometimes with fever or jaundice (yellowing of the eyes/skin).
- Infections such as gastroenteritis may lead to tummy upset, diarrhoea, or vomiting.
When to seek help: If your child has persistent tummy pain, cannot tolerate feeds, or symptoms continue for several days – it’s best to see a paediatric surgeon for proper assessment.
Please like and share this post so more parents know the warning signs of serious tummy problems.
Dr. Nada Sudhakaran is a leading paediatric surgeon in Kuala Lumpur & Petaling Jaya (Malaysia), specialising in minimally invasive laparoscopic (keyhole) and thoracoscopic surgery for children.
Last week I saw a little boy, about seven years old, who had been struggling with painful urination for years.
His mother told me he would often grimace when passing urine, sometimes holding his tummy. These signs had been there since he was just one or two years old, but because he seemed to cope, no one thought much of it.
When he finally came to my clinic, he was in severe pain and crying. We did a urine test and an ultrasound scan. The urine test showed infection. The ultrasound revealed an obstructed bladder and something called hydronephrosis – a swelling of the kidneys caused by urine flowing back or not draining properly. His blood tests even showed that his kidneys were beginning to fail.
This is the kind of situation no parent ever wants to face – a lifelong problem that could have been picked up much earlier, when the only sign was pain or discomfort while passing urine.
The lesson for parents:
- If your child complains of pain during urination, don’t ignore it.
- Ask for a urine test, and if needed, an ultrasound scan.
- These are simple, non-invasive tests that can detect problems early and prevent serious kidney damage.
Please like and share this post so more parents are aware of the warning signs.
Dr. Nada Sudhakaran is a leading paediatric surgeon in Kuala Lumpur & Petaling Jaya (Malaysia), specialising in minimally invasive laparoscopic (keyhole) and thoracoscopic surgery for children.
What parents ask me: “My child often complains of pain while urinating. Is it serious?”
Here’s what you should know:
- Pain when passing urine can sometimes be harmless, but it can also signal something serious.
- Warning signs include blood in the urine or unusual discolouration.
- The most common cause is a urinary tract infection (UTI).
- Rarely, it may be due to stones in the bladder or an abnormality in the urinary tract.
- The first step is a urine test — ideally culture and sensitivity — to check for bacteria.
- If positive, treatment with antibiotics is needed.
- Every child with their first UTI should also have an ultrasound scan to rule out anatomical abnormalities.
Most children will have no underlying issues, but for the few who do, early detection is key to avoiding long-term complications.
Like and share this video to help other parents spot the signs early.
Dr. Nada Sudhakaran is a leading paediatric surgeon in Kuala Lumpur & Petaling Jaya (Malaysia), specialising in minimally invasive laparoscopic (keyhole) and thoracoscopic surgery for children.
Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Dr Nada Child Surgeon posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.
Dr Nada Sudhakaran - Your Child’s Paediatric Surgeon
Dr Nada Sudhakaran is a consultant Paediatric Surgeon who provides specialized children surgery.
His clinics are located at Pantai Hospital KL and Gleneagles KL. However, he also operates from Tung Shin Hospital KL and Sentosa Hospital Klang.
He completed all his training in the UK, this included working at the world-renowned Great Ormond Street Hospital for Sick Children, London. Prior to bringing his expertise to KL, he worked as a Consultant Paediatric Surgeon at St Georges Hospital, London.
Dr Nada has extensive experience in reconstructive paediatric surgery, with a special interest in minimally invasive surgery (keyhole surgery) Dr Nada has been involved with teaching these techniques to trainee surgeons for the Royal College of Surgeons, London and is now involved with training, here in Malaysia for the masters program in Paediatric Surgery.
He offers surgery for general Paediatric Surgical conditions, all types of reconstructive surgery for congenital malformations (birth defects), and for emergency conditions such as for appendicitis, intestinal obstructions, other acute abdominal or urinary conditions and dealing with traumatic injuries in children.
He also provides surgery for complex conditions of the chest such as for lung anomalies, chest wall defects and for the embarrassing condition of hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating) In addition, he practices his precise techniques on newborns with surgical conditions, be it congenital (inborn) or acquired, something that occurred following birth. His other area of interest is in childhood tumour surgery, for example, for vascular access (for chemotherapy) taking biopsy samples or complex surgeries of removing solid tumours.
The vast majority of the procedures performed by him are conducted by the keyhole technique. This significantly reduces the recovery time and the post -operative pain, leaving minimal scarring in the long term.
