Pediatric cervical spine surgery

Pediatric cervical spine surgery can be performed in children who have injuries or conditions that affect the bones of the neck. The neck part of the spine is known as the cervical spine. Cervical spine conditions may be present at birth. Or they may result from an injury such as a car or motorcycle accident. Cervical spine conditions that occur at birth, known as congenital, are not common. They most often occur in children who have a disease that affects the cervical spine. Or they may occur in children with congenital changes in the bones of the neck.

Pediatric cervical spine surgery may be done after a cervical spine injury or when a child has a condition that affects the spine. Your child's surgeon may remove portions of the bone that is compressing nerves or the spinal cord to help prevent loss of nerve function. Sometimes pediatric cervical spine surgery is done to correct instability between the bones, which may injure the spinal cord or nerves. Metal implants including rods and screws may be used to connect bones, known as fusion, and to prevent excessive motion. This can reduce neck range of motion.

Pediatric cervical spinal surgeons must account for the child's future growth and development. Possible risks of pediatric cervical spine surgery include: Bleeding. Spinal cord or nerve injury. Infection. Deformity. Neck pain.

You may need to schedule tests for your child before pediatric cervical spine surgery. Also let your child's healthcare professional know of any medicines or dietary supplements your child takes. The day before surgery, follow the instructions you received from your child's healthcare professional. In general, have your child stop eating solid foods eight hours before your child is scheduled to arrive for surgery, but continue to encourage liquids. Six hours before arrival, have your child stop eating all foods and stop drinking nonclear liquids. This includes formula, milk and orange juice. Also stop giving feedings through a tube if your child has a feeding tube. Breast milk, water, clear fruit juice, Pedialyte, gelatin, ice pops and clear broth are OK. Then, four hours before the arrival time, stop giving breast milk but continue to encourage your child to drink clear liquids. Two hours before report time, have your child stop drinking all liquids and stop chewing gum. Check with your child's healthcare professional about what medicines your child may take before surgery. Some medicines can be given before surgery.