Types of Paediatric Spine Surgeries

There are different types of paediatric spine surgery, each crucial for specific disorders. In some severe cases, surgical intervention is necessary for conditions such as the following:

• Scoliosis is a spinal abnormality that results in an abnormally shaped or curved spine. Surgery is often advised in severe circumstances for those with excessive curvature.
• Spinal tumours, abnormal masses that form near the spinal cord, require surgical intervention. A multidisciplinary team typically performs this complex procedure due to the potential benign or malignant nature of the tumour.
• Traumatic spinal injuries may occur from motor vehicle accidents, unexpected falls, assaults or sports activities.
• Compression of the spinal cord and nearby nerves requires surgery to relieve pressure on the spinal cord and surrounding nerves. This form of compression may arise due to stenosis or disc herniation.

Common types of paediatric spine surgeries include the following:

Spinal fusion

Spinal fusion is a widely executed spinal surgery performed to stabilise the spine. It involves the use of specialised instrumentation (screws, rods and a bone graft) to reinforce the spine and aid in the healing process.

Minimally Invasive Scoliosis Surgery

Minimally invasive scoliosis surgery repairs an abnormally curved or shaped spine using specialized, tiny surgical tools. It is performed through much smaller incisions than traditional open surgery, making it less invasive and resulting in a much shorter recovery time, less pain, and minimal scarring than open surgery.