The Section on Surgery was founded in 1948. Its primary goals are to 1) present a scientific program which will provide state-of-the-art techniques and information for pediatric surgeons, and 2) serve in a consulting capacity to the AAP Board of Directors to make recommendations for educational programs, policy statements, and other actions on matters relating to the surgical care of infants, children, adolescents, and young adults.

Membership in the section is open to physicians who are certified by the American Board of Surgery in general surgery. They must also have: 1) special certification in pediatric surgery; or 2) the equivalent of 2 years of specialized training in a pediatric center, and a devotion of fifty percent (50%) or more of the candidate's current operative practice, exclusive of minor surgical procedures, to the care of children, over a minimum of five years after training. The Section currently has 594 members.

The Section traditionally presents a 2½ day educational program at the AAP National Conference and Exhibition. This program features 2 days of abstract and poster presentations, a distinguished overseas guest lecture, and a symposium panel. The Section also hosts a ½-day program by the Pediatric Oncology Group/Children's Cancer Group. A social banquet is held on the Saturday evening of the AAP National Conference and Exhibition.

At the 2005 National Conference and Exhibition, 37 oral presentations and 24 posters were presented. The content of these papers and posters is published in the "pocket program." The discussion of these papers is also taped at the meeting, and later transcribed and published along with the original manuscript in The Journal of Pediatric Surgery.

The Section presents the William E. Ladd Medal, which is the highest honor the Section can bestow on physicians who have made a significant contribution to the field of pediatric surgery. The Section also presents the Arnold M. Salzberg Award to surgeons who have distinguished themselves as mentors. In addition, six pediatric surgery research prizes are awarded at each meeting to those young investigators who have performed innovative research studies.

The Section acts as an expert resource to the Academy. The Section has liaisons to such policy-making bodies as the Committee on Bioethics, Hospital Care, Fetus and Newborn, and Injury and Poison Prevention. The Section maintains liaisons to outside organizations such as the American Pediatric Surgical Association, the Advisory Council on Pediatric Surgery of the American College of Surgeons, the United Network for Organ Sharing, the World Federation of Associations of Pediatric Surgery, and the British Association of Pediatric Surgeons.