Pediatric Spine Surgery

Pediatric Spine Surgery at Emirates Hospitals Group – Restoring Mobility and Hope

The Pediatric Spine Surgery service at the Emirates Hospitals Group’s Spine Department is dedicated to providing comprehensive and compassionate care for children and adolescents with a wide range of spinal conditions. Our team of expert surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, and therapists are committed to delivering the highest quality treatment, utilizing the latest advancements in technology and surgical techniques. We understand the unique needs of young patients and strive to create a supportive and family-centered environment throughout the entire surgical journey.

Pediatric spine surgery encompasses a range of procedures aimed at correcting spinal deformities, stabilizing the spine, and relieving pain in children and adolescents. These conditions can be congenital (present at birth), developmental, or acquired due to injury or disease. Our goal at Emirates Hospitals Group is to restore spinal alignment, improve function, and enhance the quality of life for our young patients, allowing them to participate fully in their daily activities.

Types of Pediatric Spine Surgeries

Our team at Emirates Hospitals Group performs a variety of pediatric spine surgeries, including:

• Scoliosis Surgery: This procedure corrects the abnormal curvature of the spine associated with scoliosis, whether it’s idiopathic (unknown cause), congenital, or neuromuscular. Techniques range from spinal fusion using rods and screws to newer, less invasive approaches like vertebral body tethering for select patients.
• Kyphosis Surgery: This surgery addresses an excessive outward curvature of the spine, often resulting in a “hunchback” appearance. It may involve spinal fusion and instrumentation to straighten the spine.
• Spondylolisthesis Surgery: This procedure stabilizes the spine when one vertebra slips forward over another. It typically involves spinal fusion and the use of screws or other instrumentation.
• Spinal Tumor Surgery: Our team at Emirates Hospitals Group has expertise in removing spinal tumors, both benign and malignant. The approach depends on the tumor’s location and type and may involve complex surgical techniques.
• Cervical Spine Surgery: This surgery addresses conditions affecting the neck, such as instability or deformities. It requires specialized expertise due to the proximity to vital structures.
• Surgery for Spinal Trauma: We provide comprehensive care for children with spinal fractures or dislocations due to injury. Surgery may be necessary to stabilize the spine and prevent neurological damage.
  Surgical Techniques:

Our surgeons at Emirates Hospitals Group utilize the most advanced surgical techniques, including minimally invasive approaches whenever possible. These techniques offer several benefits, such as smaller incisions, less blood loss, reduced pain, and faster recovery. We also employ intraoperative neuromonitoring to ensure the safety of the spinal cord and nerves during surgery. Our team is constantly evaluating and adopting new technologies to improve outcomes for our patients.

Common Procedure for Pediatric Spine Surgery

While the specific procedure depends on the individual patient’s condition, some of the most common pediatric spine surgeries we perform at Emirates Hospitals Group include:

• Posterior Spinal Fusion for Scoliosis: This is the gold standard for correcting scoliosis and involves fusing the vertebrae together using bone grafts and instrumentation.
• Anterior Spinal Fusion for Scoliosis: This approach is sometimes used for specific types of scoliosis and involves accessing the spine through the chest or abdomen.
• Vertebral Body Tethering: A newer, less invasive option for some scoliosis patients, this technique uses a flexible tether to gradually correct the curvature.
• Laminectomy: This procedure involves removing a portion of the vertebral arch (lamina) to relieve pressure on the spinal cord or nerves.
• Instrumentation and Fusion for Spondylolisthesis: This procedure stabilizes the slipped vertebra using screws, rods, and bone grafts.

Recovery Process after Spine Surgery

The recovery process after pediatric spine surgery at Emirates Hospitals Group varies depending on the type of procedure performed and the individual patient. Generally, patients can expect to stay in the hospital for several days after surgery. Pain management is a priority, and we utilize a variety of techniques to ensure our patients are comfortable. Physical therapy plays a crucial role in the recovery process, helping patients regain strength, mobility, and function. Most patients can return to school within a few weeks, although full recovery and return to all activities may take several months. We provide comprehensive follow-up care at Emirates Hospitals Group to monitor our patients’ progress and address any concerns.

Our Pediatric Spine Surgery service at Emirates Hospitals Group is committed to providing the highest quality care for children and adolescents with spinal conditions. We understand the challenges faced by families and are dedicated to supporting them throughout the entire surgical journey. Our goal is to help our patients achieve optimal spinal health, improve their quality of life, and empower them to live full and active lives.