Minimally invasive spinal surgery

The Center for Advanced Pediatric Orthopaedics and Minimally Invasive Spinal Surgery at Cohen Children’s Medical Center is the only children’s hospital on the East Coast that offers minimally invasive spinal surgery.

Minimally invasive spinal surgery is performed by our dedicated team of surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, surgical technicians and hospitalists. The use of computer-guided navigation and spinal cord monitoring makes surgery safe and precise. Most common curves can be treated in this manner. We have recently pioneered minimally invasive surgery in neuromuscular and syndromic scoliosis and the benefits are available to children with medical challenges.

If a scoliosis curve reaches 40 degrees, surgery becomes necessary. Minimally invasive spinal surgery utilizes small incisions, highly specialized equipment and tiny cameras and scopes used to see inside the body and aid the surgeon during an operation. It preserves the muscles, ligaments, and blood and nerve supply during spinal fusion, resulting in less pain, less blood loss and faster recovery when compared to traditional surgery.

For more severe curves, or curves on people with medical conditions, minimally invasive surgery can usually still be done with minor modifications. Surgery can be performed at any age but with advancing age, the risks and complications can increase and overall recovery can take longer. 

When a scoliosis curve reaches 40 degrees, surgery becomes necessary. Minimally invasive spinal surgery preserves the muscles, ligaments, and blood and nerve supply during scoliosis correction.

Not all scoliosis cases are suitable for minimally invasive surgery. However, when it is used, a minimally invasive approach allows your child to recuperate faster and with less pain. When compared to traditional open surgery, the benefits of a minimally invasive approach include:

• Shortened hospital stay
• Decreased postoperative pain
• Less need for medication
• Improved cosmetic results
• Rapid return to normal activities

There are fewer risks associated with minimally invasive spinal surgery than with traditional spinal fusion. While there is always a risk of infection or complications with anesthesia from any surgery, the risks associated with minimally invasive surgery are significantly decreased.