Dr Koushik Herle
Pediatric & Neonatal Surgeon
They must adapt techniques not just to size, but to stages of development, planning interventions that account for how a child will grow, heal, and thrive years later. Despite this unmatched breadth and depth, pediatric surgery is often sidelined, labelled ‘non-profitable’ by healthcare systems and overlooked by insurance providers reluctant to cover congenital conditions. Dr Koushik Herle is among those reshaping this narrative, highlighting not just the skill but the advocacy the role demands.
The Journey & Expertise
Dr Koushik’s journey into the field was shaped by a unique blend of early exposure, innate empathy for children, and a deep fascination for intricate surgical techniques. After completing his MBBS from Kempegowda Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS), Bangalore, he pursued general surgery training at the renowned B.J. Medical College, Pune. “From my second year of training, I was closely involved in pediatric surgical care, managing a wide range of cases from newborns to adolescents in a high-volume government hospital.
Working alongside visiting pediatric surgeons, I was drawn to the precision of neonatal surgery and discovered a natural connection with children that ultimately guided me toward specializing in pediatric surgery”, he informs. Following his passion, Dr Koushik secured a competitive spot at CMC Vellore, one of India’s premier institutions, where he began formal training in pediatric surgery. His career has since spanned multiple prestigious centers, including Rainbow Children’s Hospitals in Hyderabad and Bangalore, as well as JJM Medical College, Davanagere.
Currently working at The Manipal Hospitals, Dr Koushik brings a comprehensive skill set to pediatric surgery, with expertise spanning a wide range of conditions affecting children from infancy to adolescence. His practice encompasses procedures across various anatomical systems, including head and neck surgeries such as branchial cyst and sinuses, preauricular sinus correction, as well as thoracic interventions like VATS for empyema and tracheoesophageal fistula repairs. He is also well-versed in complex gastrointestinal surgeries, choledochal cyst excision, Biliary
atresia as well as pediatric-specific conditions such as malrotation and intussusception, gastroschisis and intestinal resection anastamosis.
A substantial portion of Dr Koushik’s work focuses on pediatric urology, which he considers a central area of his clinical interest. He routinely manages conditions like PUJ and VUJ obstructions, vesicoureteric reflux, posterior urethral valves, uretroceles, and bladder exstrophy and bladder augmentation. Among these, he has developed a particular passion for hypospadias reconstruction, a delicate and technically demanding surgery that he aims to pursue further. “I place the highest priority on ensuring both the safety and emotional comfort of my young patients and their families, starting with personalized counseling. I use visual aids, hand-drawn illustrations, and real-life analogies, to help parents understand their child’s condition and feel confident throughout the surgical journey”, he adds.
A Life-Changing Case
One of the most memorable cases in Dr Koushik’s career involved a young girl suffering from Klippel-Trenaunay Syndrome, a rare, incurable vascular malformation affecting her entire leg from buttock to below the knee. The child had lived with the condition for years, burdened by painful blisters, frequent bleeding, and visibly discolored skin resembling a dark road mark on the outer leg. The severity of her symptoms prevented her from participating in normal childhood activities such as running, dancing, or even attending school regularly. Previous consultations had failed to provide clarity or relief, and her family was advised to simply wait until she grew older.
Referred to Dr Koushik by a mutual acquaintance, the child finally received a targeted treatment plan. Combining staged surgeries to close off abnormal blood vessels with long-term medication, Dr Koushik managed to reduce her symptoms by over 50 percent. Bleeding episodes that once occurred every other day became rare, and the painful blisters diminished significantly.
Most importantly, the child began reclaiming her childhood, cycling, dancing, and participating in school events for the first time in years. Though the condition remains incurable, Dr Koushik’s timely intervention brought not just physical relief but renewed hope to the child and her family.
Vision for the Future
Dr Koushik envisions a future where quality pediatric surgical care is accessible not just in metro cities, but across every district in India. Currently, most pediatric surgeons and facilities are concentrated in urban centers, forcing families from smaller towns to travel long distances, often in emergencies, for specialized care. He emphasizes that the root of this disparity lies in inadequate infrastructure and a shortage of trained personnel, especially when it comes to neonatal surgery, which requires advanced NICU support and pediatric-trained nurses.
“I believe the government’s push to open medical colleges in every district is the perfect opportunity to embed fully functional pediatric surgery departments, backed by trained nurses, NICUs, and modern ORs. My vision is to strengthen district hospitals with manpower, infrastructure, and support systems so no child is denied timely, lifesaving care because of geography”, concludes Dr Koushik.
Notable Achievements:
•Recognized for advanced skills in minimally invasive pediatric surgery during Fellowship of Pediatric Endoscopic Surgeons of India(PESI).
•Presented multiple papers at the British Association of Pediatric Surgeons(BAPS) and Indian Association of Pediatric Surgeons (IAPS) conferences.
•Contributed as part of the Indian research team for a multi-center global study under the Global Initiative for Children’s Surgery (GICS), examining pediatric surgical trends during COVID-19.
A substantial portion of Dr Koushik’s work focuses on pediatric urology, which he considers a central area of his clinical interest. He routinely manages conditions like PUJ and VUJ obstructions, vesicoureteric reflux, posterior urethral valves, uretroceles, and bladder exstrophy and bladder augmentation. Among these, he has developed a particular passion for hypospadias reconstruction, a delicate and technically demanding surgery that he aims to pursue further. “I place the highest priority on ensuring both the safety and emotional comfort of my young patients and their families, starting with personalized counseling. I use visual aids, hand-drawn illustrations, and real-life analogies, to help parents understand their child’s condition and feel confident throughout the surgical journey”, he adds.
I feel a deep responsibility to ensure every child, no matter where they are, has a fair chance at safe, timely surgical care
A Life-Changing Case
One of the most memorable cases in Dr Koushik’s career involved a young girl suffering from Klippel-Trenaunay Syndrome, a rare, incurable vascular malformation affecting her entire leg from buttock to below the knee. The child had lived with the condition for years, burdened by painful blisters, frequent bleeding, and visibly discolored skin resembling a dark road mark on the outer leg. The severity of her symptoms prevented her from participating in normal childhood activities such as running, dancing, or even attending school regularly. Previous consultations had failed to provide clarity or relief, and her family was advised to simply wait until she grew older.
Referred to Dr Koushik by a mutual acquaintance, the child finally received a targeted treatment plan. Combining staged surgeries to close off abnormal blood vessels with long-term medication, Dr Koushik managed to reduce her symptoms by over 50 percent. Bleeding episodes that once occurred every other day became rare, and the painful blisters diminished significantly.
Most importantly, the child began reclaiming her childhood, cycling, dancing, and participating in school events for the first time in years. Though the condition remains incurable, Dr Koushik’s timely intervention brought not just physical relief but renewed hope to the child and her family.
Vision for the Future
Dr Koushik envisions a future where quality pediatric surgical care is accessible not just in metro cities, but across every district in India. Currently, most pediatric surgeons and facilities are concentrated in urban centers, forcing families from smaller towns to travel long distances, often in emergencies, for specialized care. He emphasizes that the root of this disparity lies in inadequate infrastructure and a shortage of trained personnel, especially when it comes to neonatal surgery, which requires advanced NICU support and pediatric-trained nurses.
“I believe the government’s push to open medical colleges in every district is the perfect opportunity to embed fully functional pediatric surgery departments, backed by trained nurses, NICUs, and modern ORs. My vision is to strengthen district hospitals with manpower, infrastructure, and support systems so no child is denied timely, lifesaving care because of geography”, concludes Dr Koushik.
Notable Achievements:
•Recognized for advanced skills in minimally invasive pediatric surgery during Fellowship of Pediatric Endoscopic Surgeons of India(PESI).
•Presented multiple papers at the British Association of Pediatric Surgeons(BAPS) and Indian Association of Pediatric Surgeons (IAPS) conferences.
•Contributed as part of the Indian research team for a multi-center global study under the Global Initiative for Children’s Surgery (GICS), examining pediatric surgical trends during COVID-19.
