MCh Paediatric Surgery: Admissions, medical colleges, fees, eligibility criteria details

The course is a full-time course pursued at various recognized medical colleges across the country. Some of the top medical colleges offering this course include All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi, G.B. Pant Institute of PG medical education and research, New Delhi, and more.

Admission to this course is done through the NEET-SS Entrance exam conducted by the National Board of Examinations, followed by counseling based on the scores of the exam that is conducted by DGHS/MCC/State Authorities.

The fee for pursuing MCh (Paediatric Surgery) varies from college to college and may range from Rs.1,000 to Rs 6,04,000/- in government colleges and from Rs.1,10,000 to Rs.29,00,000 per year for private colleges.

After completion of their respective course, doctors can either join the job market or can pursue certificate courses and Fellowship programs recognized by NMC and NBE. Candidates can take reputed jobs at positions as Senior residents, Consultants, etc. with an approximate salary range of Rs 9 lakhs to Rs. 23 lakhs per annum.

What is MCh in Paediatric Surgery?

Master of Chirurgiae in Paediatric Surgery, also known as MCh (Paediatric Surgery) or MCh in (Paediatric Surgery) is a three-year super specialty programme that candidates can pursue after completing a postgraduate degree.

Pediatric Surgery is the branch of medical science dealing with the study of those who specialize in treating children. They're trained to do surgery of infants, children, and young adults.

National Medical Commission (NMC), the apex medical regulator, has released a Guidelines for Competency-Based Postgraduate Training Programme for MCh in Paediatric Surgery.

The Competency-Based Postgraduate Training Programme governs the education and training of MChs in Paediatric Surgery.

The postgraduate students must gain ample knowledge and experience in the diagnosis, and treatment of patients with acute, serious, and life-threatening medical and surgical diseases.

PG education intends to create specialists who can contribute to high-quality health care and advances in science through research and training.

The required training done by a postgraduate specialist in the field of Paediatric Surgery would help the specialist to recognize the health needs of the community. The student should be competent to handle medical problems effectively and should be aware of the recent advances in their specialty.

The candidate is also expected to know the principles of research methodology and modes of the consulting library. The candidate should regularly attend conferences, workshops, and CMEs to upgrade her/ his knowledge.

Course Highlights

Here are some of the course highlights of MCh in Paediatric Surgery

The eligibility criteria for MCh in Paediatric Surgery are defined as the set of rules or minimum prerequisites that aspirants must meet to be eligible for admission, which includes:

Note:

· The feeder qualification for MCh Pediatric Surgery is defined by the NBE and is subject to changes by the NBE.

· The feeder qualification mentioned here is as of 2022.

· For any changes, please refer to the NBE website.

• The prior entry qualifications shall be strictly by Post Graduate Medical Education Regulations, 2000, and its amendments notified by the NMC and any clarification issued from NMC in this regard.
• The candidate must have obtained permanent registration with any State Medical Council to be eligible for admission.
• The medical college's recognition cut-off dates for the Postgraduate Degree courses shall be as prescribed by the medical council of India (now NMC).

The admission process contains a few steps to be followed in order by the candidates for admission to MCh in Paediatric Surgery. Candidates can view the complete admission process for MCh in Paediatric Surgery mentioned below:

• The NEET-SS or National Eligibility Entrance Test for Super specialty courses is a national-level master's level examination conducted by the NBE for admission to DM/MCh/DrNB Courses.
• Qualifying Criteria-Candidates placed at the 50th percentile or above shall be declared as qualified in the NEET-SS in their respective specialty.
• The following Medical institutions are not covered under centralized admissions for DM/MCh courses through NEET-SS:

1. AIIMS, New Delhi, and other AIIMS

2. PGIMER, Chandigarh

3. JIPMER, Puducherry

4. NIMHANS, Bengaluru

• Candidates from all eligible feeder specialty subjects shall be required to appear in the question paper of the respective group if they are willing to opt for a super specialty course in any of the super specialty courses covered in that group.
• A candidate can opt for appearing in the question papers of as many groups for which his/her Postgraduate specialty qualification is an eligible feeder qualification.
• By appearing in the question paper of a group and on qualifying for the examination, a candidate shall be eligible to exercise his/her choices in the counseling only for those super specialty subjects covered in the said group for which his/ her broad specialty is an eligible feeder qualification.

Fees Structure

The fee structure for MCh in Paediatric Surgery varies from college to college. The fee is generally less for Government Institutes and more for private institutes. The average fee structure for MCh in Paediatric Surgery is around may range from Rs.1,000 to Rs 6,04,000 in government colleges and from for private colleges Rs.1,10,000 to Rs.29,00,000 per year.

Colleges offering MCh in Paediatric Surgery

Various medical colleges across India offer courses for pursuing MCh in (Paediatric Surgery).

As per National Medical Commission (NMC) website, the following medical colleges are offering MCh in (Paediatric Surgery) courses for the academic year 2022-23.

Syllabus

The course content for MCh in Paediatric Surgery is given in the Competency-Based Postgraduate Training Programme released by National Medical Commission, which can be assessed through the link mentioned below:

A. Cognitive domain

The following is a broad outline of the syllabus:

Basic sciences as applied to Pediatric Surgery

• Medical genetics and gene therapy.
• Antenatal diagnosis and fetal intervention
• Developmental and transitional physiology of the respiratory, cardiovascular, and renal systems
• Neonatal physiology and assessment of the surgical neonate.
• Neonatal sepsis
• Nutrition – enteral, parenteral
• Vascular access
• Principles of imaging (radiodiagnosis, nuclear) in Pediatric practice
• Pharmacology and use of common drugs, antibiotics, and policy
• Pediatric analgesia and anesthesia, critical care, mechanical ventilation
• General principles of Endoscopy and Minimal Access Surgery – fetoscopy, genitourinary endoscopy, trachea-bronchoscopy, laparoscopy, thoracoscopy, robotic surgery
• Biomedical ethics and legal issues in Pediatric surgical practice.
• The organization of a Pediatric Surgical unit
• HIV/AIDS in children
• National health policy programs pertinent to Pediatric practice
• Telemedicine and telesurgery - principles, practice, and limitations

Trauma

• Birth trauma
• Pediatric trauma – general principles.
• Thoracic, abdominal, genitourinary, and central nervous system trauma
• Soft tissue and envenomation injuries
• Musculoskeletal and vascular trauma
• Burns
• Child abuse.

Pediatric Oncology

• General principles of oncology, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy
• Wilms' tumor
• Neuroblastoma
• Liver tumors
• Rhabdomyosarcoma
• Germ cell tumors
• Other tumors of childhood (outline)-Leukemias, Lymphomas, Bone tumors, CNS
• tumors.
• Retinoblastoma 

Transplantation

• General principles
• Kidney and liver transplantation

• Outline of other solid organ and bone marrow transplantation.

Head and Neck Disorders

• Craniofacial anomalies
• Cleft lip and palate
• Disorders of the upper airway and oral cavity.
• Salivary glands
• Disorders of lymph nodes.
• Thyroid and parathyroid gland
• Cysts and sinuses of the neck
• Torticollis

Thoracic Disorders

• Congenital chest wall deformities.
• Disorders of the breast.
• Diaphragmatic hernia and eventration
• Mediastinal mass lesions.
• Endoscopy of the upper aerodigestive tract.
• Congenital tracheal and Bronchopulmonary/ foregut malformations
• Infective pleuro-pulmonary condition.
• Congenital esophageal anomalies
• Esophageal motility disorders , achalasia cardia, gastro-oesophagal reflux
• Oesophageal rupture, injury, stricture, perforation.
• Esophageal replacement.

Abdominal Disorders

• Umbilical disorders and abdominal wall defects.
• Inguinal hernias and hydroceles
• Testicular maldescent, torsion
• Hypertrophic pyloric stenosis.
• Duodenal atresia, annular pancreas.
• Jejunoileal atresia and stenosis
• Meconium ileus
• Meckel's diverticulum
• Intussusception.
• Disorder of midgut rotation.
• Short bowel syndrome
• Gastrointestinal endoscopy and laparoscopy.
• Gastrointestinal bleeding
• Gastrointestinal duplications.
• Mesenteric and omental cysts
• Ascites
• The polypoid disease of the GIT
• Necrotising enterocolitis.
• Intestinal stomas
• Primary peritonitis.
• Inflammatory bowel disease in children.
• Colonic atresia and functional obstruction.
• Appendicitis
• Hirschsprung disease, neuromuscular disorders of intestines
• Anorectal malformations.
• Congenital short colon /pouch colon
• Colonic and rectal tumors
• Neonatal/Infantile obstructive cholangiopathy
• Congenital biliary dilatation.
• Infective and inflammatory hepatobiliary disorders
• Benign liver tumors
• Portal hypertension
• Disorders of the pancreas
• Splenectomy and post-splenectomy sepsis.
• Adrenal gland.

Genitourinary and related disorders

• Renal agenesis, dysplasia, cystic disease, ectopia
• Pelvic ureteral junction obstruction
• Vesicoureteric reflux
• Infective and inflammatory renal disorder.
• Pediatric urolithiasis
• Congenital ureteric anomalies.
• Prune belly syndrome
• Urinary diversion and undiversion, bladder augmentation
• Disorders of bladder function.
• Structural bladder disorders
• Exstrophy – epispadias complex
• Hypospadias.
• Anomalies of the external genitalia
• Disorders of Sex Differentiation
• Abnormalities of the female genital tract.

Miscellaneous Pediatric Surgical Disorders

• Spina bifida
• Hydrocephalus
• Congenital heart disease
• Congenital orthopedic deformities
• Amputation, bone, and joint infections
• Conjoined twins
• Hemangiomas & vascular malformations.

Career Options

After completing an MCh in Paediatric Surgery, candidates will get employment opportunities in Government as well as in the Private sector.

In the Government sector, candidates have various options to choose from which include Registrar, Senior Resident, Demonstrator, Tutor, etc.

While in the Private sector, the options include Resident Doctor, Consultant, Visiting Consultant (Paediatric Surgeon), Junior Consultant, Senior Consultant (Paediatric Surgeon), Assistant Professor, Associate Professor (Paediatric Surgeon).

Courses After MCh in Paediatric Surgery Course

MCh in Paediatric Surgery is a specialization course that can be pursued after finishing a Postgraduate medical course. After pursuing specialization in MCh in Paediatric Surgery, a candidate could also pursue certificate courses and Fellowship programs recognized by NMC and NBE, where MCh in Paediatric Surgery is a feeder qualification.

These include:

• Post-Doctoral Fellowship in Pediatric Gastrointestinal Surgery
• Fellowship Programme In Pediatric Minimally Invasive Surgery

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) –MCh in Paediatric Surgery Course

· Question: What is the full form of an MCh?

Answer: The full form of an MCh is Master of Chirurgiae.

· Question: What is an MCh in Paediatric Surgery?

Answer: MCh Paediatric Surgery or Master of Chirurgiae in Paediatric Surgery also known as MCh in Paediatric Surgery is a super specialty level course for doctors in India that they do after completion of their postgraduate medical degree course.

· Question: What is the duration of an MCh in Paediatric Surgery?

Answer: MCh in Paediatric Surgery is a super specialty programme of three years.

· Question: What is the eligibility of an MCh in Paediatric Surgery?

Answer: Candidates must have a postgraduate medical Degree in MS/DNB General Surgery from any college/university recognized by the Medical Council of India (Now NMC)/NBE., this feeder qualification mentioned here is as of 2022. For any further changes to the prerequisite requirement please refer to the DNB website.

• Question: What is the scope of an MCh in Paediatric Surgery?

Answer: MCh in Paediatric Surgery offers candidates various employment opportunities and career prospects.

• Question: What is the average salary for an MCh in Paediatric Surgery candidate?

Answer: The MCh in Paediatric Surgery candidate's average salary is between Rs. 9 lakhs to Rs. 23 lakhs per annum depending on the experience.

•Question: Can you teach after completing an MCh Course?

Answer: Yes, the candidate can teach in a medical college/hospital after completing an MCh course.

• What is the most common Pediatric Surgery?

The most common Pediatric Surgery is Hernia Surgery.