Charles M. Leys, MD, FACS

Professor

  • Surgeon in Chief, American Family Children’s Hospital

leys@surgery.wisc.edu
(608) 262-0466

600 Highland Avenue
MC 7375
Madison, WI 53792-0001
–––
Scheduling or patient-related questions: (608) 263-6420
Administrative assistance: (608) 262-0466

Education

  • MD, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI
  • Masters of Science in Clinical Investigation (MSCI), Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN
  • General Surgery Residency, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN
  • Fellowship in Pediatric Surgery, Children’s Mercy Hospitals and Clinics, Kansas City, MO

Clinical Specialties

Dr. Leys is certified by the American Board of Surgery in General Surgery and Pediatric Surgery. He is Director of Pediatric Minimally Invasive Surgery at American Family Children’s Hospital, and his clinical practice emphasizes minimally invasive approaches to all types of pediatric and neonatal surgical disorders. He specializes in congenital malformations, chest wall deformities, thoracic diseases, surgical oncology, and gastrointestinal disorders, including gastroesophageal reflux and inflammatory bowel disease.

For a complete listing of conditions for which our pediatric surgeons provide treatment, please click here

Dr. Leys provides a wide range of services including Congenital Malformations, Chest Wall Deformities, Thoracic Diseases, Surgical Oncology, Gastroesophageal Reflux, Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Research Interests

Dr. Leys’ research interests are focused on evidence-based pediatric surgery, including clinical trials and quality improvement.

Recent Publications

  • Real-world Multi-institutional Data From the Midwest Pediatric Surgery Consortium (MWPSC) to Assess the Effect of Delayed Kasai Procedure on Biliary Drainage in Patients With Biliary Atresia.
    Farooqui ZA, Hartman SJ, Stetson AE, Schepers EJ, Speck KE, Gadepalli SK, Van Arendonk KJ, Georgeades C, Lal DR, Deans KJ, Minneci PC, Apfeld JC, Saito JM, Mak GZ, Slidell MB, Lemoine C, Superina R, Wright TN, Downard CD, Devara LP, Hirschl RB, Landman MP, Leys CM, Markel TA, Rymeski B, Mullapudi B, Tiao GM, Midwest Pediatric Surgery Consortium
    J Pediatr Surg 2025 Feb 18; 60(5): 162250
    [PubMed ID: 40023993]

  • Laser Hair Removal May Be a Primary Treatment of Pilonidal Disease: A Pilot Study.
    Janek KC, Kenfield M, Stafford LC, Stalter L, Carchman E, Leys CM, Nichol P, Brinkman A, Arkin LM, Le HD
    J Pediatr Surg 2025 Jan 25; 60(4): 162182
    [PubMed ID: 39893840]

  • Regional Anesthesia and Surgical Volume in Children Undergoing Nuss Repair: A Multicenter Review.
    Lotakis D, Vernamonti JP, Wright TN, Van Arendonk KJ, Minneci PC, Leys CM, Landman MP, St Peter SD, Brown RL, Mak GZ, Abebe TB, Speck KE, Midwest Pediatric Surgery Consortium (MWPSC)
    J Surg Res 2025 Jan; 305: 190-196
    [PubMed ID: 39705737]

  • Venous Thromboembolism Prophylaxis in High-Risk Pediatric Trauma Patients.
    Witte AB, Van Arendonk K, Bergner C, Bantchev M, Falcone RA, Moody S, Hartman HA, Evans E, Thakkar R, Patterson KN, Minneci PC, Mak GZ, Slidell MB, Johnson M, Landman MP, Markel TA, Leys CM, Cherney Stafford L, Draper J, Foley DS, Downard C, Skaggs TM, Lal DR, Gourlay D, Ehrlich PF
    JAMA Surg 2024 Oct 01; 159(10): 1149-1156
    [PubMed ID: 39083300]

  • The use and timing of angioembolization in pediatric blunt liver and spleen injury.
    Naiditch JA, Notrica DM, Sayrs LW, Linnaus M, Stottlemyre R, Garcia NM, Lawson KA, Cohen AS, Letton RW, Johnson J, Maxson RT, Eubanks JW, Ryan M, Alder A, Ponsky TA, St Peter SD, Bhatia AM, Leys CM
    J Trauma Acute Care Surg 2024 Jun 01; 96(6): 915-920
    [PubMed ID: 38189680]

All Publications on PubMed