Pediatric Neurosurgical Treatments

Neurosurgeon Consultation

If your child already has the specific imaging tests done, they will be seen in the pediatric neurosurgery clinic.

Expect to talk about your child’s condition and corrective treatments. If surgery is the best treatment option, you will meet with the pediatric neurosurgeon and decide when the proper time is to schedule it. 

Neurosurgical Treatments

Neurosurgery can be just as scary for your family as it is for your child. Your skilled, experienced neurosurgeon will use the most current endoscopic minimally invasive techniques whenever possible. Our Child Life specialists will meet with you and your child and offer guidance, comfort and education before surgery.

The benefits of less invasive surgery include a shorter hospital stay, smaller incisions and better outcomes.

University Children’s Health offers specialized traditional and minimally invasive neurosurgeries such as:

• Craniosynostosis surgery
• Cerebrospinal diversion (shunt versus endoscopic procedure) to drain fluid build-up from around the brain and spinal cord
• Spasticity surgery to place a pump to release medication into the spinal fluid or separate nerve roots to stop spasticity or selective dorsal rhizotomy I surgery
• Chiari decompression removes bone and reduces pressure on the brain and spinal cord and restores fluid flow
• Cyst fenestrations make an opening in the cyst to drain fluid or place a shunt
• Tethered cord surgery to release the attached spinal cord within the spinal canal and surrounding tissues
• Trauma surgery reconstructs or corrects sudden brain and spine injuries
• Tumor resection surgically removes all or part of a tumor in the brain or spinal cord

Advanced Virtual Surgical Planning

Our pediatric neurosurgeons use computerized virtual planning systems (VSP) to combine imaging scans and make 3D models of your child’s head. These models guide precise surgeries in the operating room. That means your child will have a shorter operation and a more predictable outcome. This technique is used for complex cranial vault reconstruction surgeries.

Follow-Up Care

After neurosurgery, your child will have routine follow-up care in the pediatric neurosurgery clinic to ensure healing and recovery are going well. Your doctor may recommend rehabilitation therapies for your child to manage symptoms, improve quality of life or fully recover. 

Your doctor may also advise other follow-up care depending on your child's condition.