Our Summary

Every year, more than 7500 children have surgery for a condition called scoliosis, costing the healthcare system around $1.1 billion. This research paper looks at whether a new method, called “Enhanced Recovery After Surgery” (ERAS), could give good results but lower costs. The researchers looked at all the studies they could find about using ERAS in children having surgery for a spinal deformity.

The results suggest that ERAS could have several benefits. It might mean that children need to stay in hospital for less time after their operation, and it might reduce the risk of complications after surgery. It could also mean that they feel less pain after the operation. However, it wasn’t clear whether there was any difference in the number of children needing more surgery later on, or whether ERAS might lead to more children needing to be readmitted to the hospital within 30 days of their operation. There also wasn’t enough information to say whether ERAS would actually save money.

The authors caution that more research is needed to prove these results, as there could be a bias in the studies they found. They suggest that more studies should be done in multiple centres to make sure the results are reliable.

FAQs

  1. What is the “Enhanced Recovery After Surgery” (ERAS) method in pediatric scoliosis surgery?
  2. What are the potential benefits and risks of using ERAS in pediatric scoliosis surgery according to the research?
  3. Is there enough evidence to determine if ERAS in pediatric scoliosis surgery would save money?

Doctor’s Tip

One helpful tip a doctor might tell a patient about pediatric scoliosis surgery is to ask about the possibility of using the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) method. This approach could potentially lead to a shorter hospital stay, reduce the risk of complications, and decrease post-operative pain. However, it is important to discuss this option with the healthcare team and consider the need for further research to confirm the benefits of ERAS in pediatric scoliosis surgery.

Suitable For

Pediatric scoliosis surgery is typically recommended for patients with severe spinal deformities that are causing significant pain, difficulty breathing or moving, or affecting the overall quality of life. Patients who have not responded well to non-surgical treatments such as bracing or physical therapy may also be candidates for surgery. Additionally, patients with progressive scoliosis that is worsening over time may also be recommended for surgery to prevent further complications.

Overall, pediatric scoliosis surgery is considered a safe and effective treatment option for patients who meet the criteria for surgery. However, the decision to undergo surgery should be made in consultation with a team of healthcare professionals, including a pediatric orthopedic surgeon, to determine the best course of treatment for each individual patient.

Timeline

Before pediatric scoliosis surgery:

  • Patient is diagnosed with scoliosis through physical examination and imaging tests
  • Patient and family meet with orthopedic surgeon to discuss treatment options, including surgery
  • Patient undergoes pre-operative testing and preparation, including blood work, imaging, and medical history review
  • Patient and family receive education about the surgery, recovery process, and potential risks and complications

After pediatric scoliosis surgery:

  • Patient undergoes surgery to correct the spinal deformity
  • Patient is monitored closely in the hospital for pain management, wound care, and complications
  • Patient begins physical therapy and rehabilitation to regain strength and mobility
  • Patient is discharged from the hospital once stable and able to continue recovery at home
  • Patient continues follow-up appointments with the surgeon to monitor healing and progress
  • Patient may require long-term follow-up care and monitoring for potential complications or the need for further surgeries.

What to Ask Your Doctor

  1. What are the potential risks and complications associated with pediatric scoliosis surgery?
  2. What is the success rate of pediatric scoliosis surgery in terms of correcting the spinal deformity?
  3. How long is the recovery process after pediatric scoliosis surgery?
  4. What kind of physical therapy or rehabilitation will be needed after surgery?
  5. Are there any long-term effects or limitations that my child may experience after pediatric scoliosis surgery?
  6. What is the expected outcome in terms of pain management after surgery?
  7. How many pediatric scoliosis surgeries have you performed and what is your success rate?
  8. Are there alternative treatment options to surgery for pediatric scoliosis?
  9. Will my child need additional surgeries in the future after undergoing pediatric scoliosis surgery?
  10. How will the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) method impact my child’s surgical experience and recovery process?

Reference

Authors: Pennington Z, Cottrill E, Lubelski D, Ehresman J, Lehner K, Groves ML, Sponseller P, Sciubba DM. Journal: J Neurosurg Pediatr. 2020 Nov 20;27(2):225-238. doi: 10.3171/2020.7.PEDS20444. Print 2021 Feb 1. PMID: 33254141