Katherine A. Barsness, MD, MS

As a physician-scientist, Dr. Barsness devotes her time to the development and evaluation of protocols for improving surgical performance. Her research interests include validated measures of surgical skills, curriculum design, pediatric surgical training and minimally invasive surgeries for congenital anomalies.

Dr. Barsness is at the forefront of using 3-D printing and computer-aided design to improve surgical training and performance of complex repairs in newborns with a range of congenital malformations of the upper digestive tract and chest wall.

Dr. Barsness was instrumental in the concept and development of a global simulation-based educational program designed to improve training of pediatric surgeons in developing regions that lack the educational infrastructure to bring advanced skills to practice.

Dr. Barsness is the recipient of a number of teaching awards and the author or co-author of several textbook chapters and numerous peer-reviewed publications. She is part of a core group of faculty members overseeing graduate and post-graduate simulation-based training at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.

Procedures Performed

• Thoracoscopy for congenital lung abnormalities, esophageal atresia, tracheoesophageal fistula, lung biopsy, cyst and tumor resections, thymectomy, and other abnormalities of the chest;
• Laparoscopy for congenital abnormalities of intestines (duodenal/intestinal atresia, Meckel’s diverticulectum, mesenteric cysts and duplications, Hirschsprung’s disease, Imperforate anus), achalasia, median arcuate ligament syndrome (MALS)
• Gastroesophageal reflux, inflammatory bowel disease, gallstones, low profile (button) gastrostomy tube insertion
• Treatment for chest wall deformities (pectus excavatum, pectus carinatum, Poland’s disease)
• Splenectomy
• Appendectomy
• Adrenalectomy
• Ovarian surgery/oophorectomy 
• Laparoscopic treatment for malrotation of the bowel
• Surgeries for intra-abdominal organ abnormalities