Surgery

Our surgeons lead the way in expert care. We use advanced techniques and consistently rank among the best in the nation.

Surgeons operating on a patient in surgery

Why choose UCLA Health for surgical services?

At UCLA Health, we lead the way in excellent health care. Our surgery team includes experts in multiple subspecialty areas who continually research best practices and advance their skills.

Highlights of our surgical services include:

Expanded access to care: We have trauma surgeons on call 24/7 to care for urgent and complex conditions and injuries. We also run an After-Hours Clinic in our orthopaedic department to expand access to care and reduce unnecessary emergency department visits. Many of our surgical subspecialties have inpatient and outpatient locations so you can easily access our services.

Advanced technology: Our state-of-the-art operating rooms house the latest and most advanced equipment so we can offer minimally invasive and robotic surgery. These approaches offer patients a lower risk of complications, faster recovery and less scarring. They also help us manage pain without the use of opioids.

Comprehensive research: Research is a priority in all of our surgical disciplines. Our clinicians commit to improving patient care by learning new techniques. We are constantly identifying more strategies that lead to excellent outcomes.

Our areas of care

Our surgical services include multiple surgical specialty areas. Types of surgery include:

Cardiac surgery

Our cardiac surgeons provide consultations and treatment for cardiac, pulmonary (lung) and esophageal diseases. We use minimally invasive and robotic techniques. These procedures offer patients quicker recoveries with less pain and scarring.

Heart & Cardiovascular Services

General surgery

Our team of full-time, board-certified general surgeons practice in distinct subspecialty areas. Since our founding in 1948, we have become one of the largest and most renowned general surgery divisions in the world. General surgery divisions include:

Pediatric surgery

In partnership with UCLA Mattel Children’s Hospital, our surgeons provide a comprehensive range of surgical services to children. Our children’s hospital is a robust regional and international referral center for infants and children. Being a referral center means that health care providers from other institutions recognize that we provide exceptional, advanced care.

In addition to providing a range of surgical subspecialties, our Pediatric Surgery team also cares for babies and children in intensive care units. We offer both a Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit.

Plastic surgery

Our plastic surgery team uses advanced techniques in cosmetic and reconstructive surgeries. Our commitment to research sets us apart as leaders in plastic surgery techniques that promote desired outcomes. We also lead a thriving residency program and many of our graduates have gone on to hold top academic positions at prestigious medical centers across the country.

Surgical oncology

We use a state-of-the-art approach to cancer treatment that incorporates the expertise of multiple specialists. We have several clinics and programs through which we target treatment plans to care for patients with specific types of cancer. These programs include:

Thoracic surgery

Our thoracic surgery team provides multidisciplinary, expert care. U.S. News & World Report ranks us No. 5 in the nation for pulmonology and lung surgery. We have many specialized programs and centers that allow us to target treatment plans and coordinate your care in one convenient setting.

Transplantation services

Our transplantation services are among the most experienced and advanced programs in the country. In many of our programs, our outcome rates far surpass the national average. For example, only 5% of our heart transplant patients experience donor organ rejection, compared to the national average of 25%. Our Bone Marrow Transplant Program is one of the longest-running programs of its kind in the country. To date, we have performed more than 5,000 successful bone marrow transplants in adults and children.

Vascular surgery

Our vascular surgeons use a team approach that incorporates the expertise of multiple specialists. Because technology is rapidly evolving, it’s crucial to engage in research and continual learning. Our surgeons use treatments that promote the best chances for excellent long-term outcomes.

Our expert surgical team

Our surgical team is made up of experts in multiple subspecialty areas. Many of our clinicians consistently achieve recognition as being among the best doctors in the country. We continually research the newest techniques to offer patients the best, most promising treatments.