Book excerpt: This book identifies the 50 key scientific articles in the field of pediatric surgery. It provides a commentary to each carefully selected paper and explains why these papers are so important, thus providing every surgeon with the foundation stones of knowledge in this fast-moving area. The key advances in neonatal, pediatric, and fetal surgery – game-changers if you will – that have led to the significant improvements in clinical outcome and results are all included. The choice of papers provides an insight into the development of pediatric surgery and offers an important aid to understanding the subject for practicing pediatric surgeons and residents.