A 2-year-old child presented to the Kauvery Institute of Brain and Spine, Kauvery Hospital, Radial Road, with a progressively increasing hump on her upper back. She had also started developing weakness of the legs especially after playing for some time. The child had a history of tuberculosis infection affecting her spine when she was 6 months old.
After evaluating the child, Dr Krish Sridhar, Group Mentor, Neurosciences & Director, Institute of Brain & Spine, Neurosurgery, Kauvery Hospital, Radial Road, and his spine team found that the problem was due to very bad curvature deformity (Kyphosis), and compression of the spinal cord caused due to near collapse of the spinal column in the upper thoracic region. A multi-disciplinary team meeting was held to decide on the best course of action for this complex case, following which Surgical Correction of the deformity was advised for the child.
An eight-hour complex spinal procedure through the chest wall was performed on the child by a team of 4 surgeons led by Dr K Sridhar. The collapsed part of the spine was removed, and the spine reconstructed after reducing the curve. Surgery was done under continuous neuro-monitoring.
Dr Sridhar said, “Major surgery in children is relatively difficult compared to that in adults. The team performing these complex spine procedures not only requires experience, but also a thorough understanding of the developmental changes related to child growth.”
“Spinal surgery is no longer something that one needs to be scared about. The technological advances in anaesthesia, monitoring, spinal implants and other equipment⸻like high-speed drill and the operating microscope⸻have allowed precision surgery, especially in complex cases, with positive outcomes.” he stated.
The child was discharged after a week in the hospital, and is back to running around and playing. The parents and family are happy that they have been able to get a Complex Spinal Deformity Corrective Surgery done.
