Pediatrics and Spine

Every year, more than 100,000 children in the United States are diagnosed with scoliosis. This is a condition where there’s a sideways curve of a child’s backbone. And for severe cases of scoliosis, surgery may be required.

Typically during surgery, surgeons use computer-assisted navigation of either an X-ray or a CT scan. This exposes the pediatric patient to radiation. Recently, a new device has been introduced that reduces this radiation exposure — the 7D flash navigation system. Using the same technology that a cell phone uses for facial recognition to unlock your cell phone, this uses the camera to look into the patients’ body through the incision.

The camera doesn’t use radiation, increases efficiency fin surgery and, for kids, that means less time in the hospital. It results in a shorter recovery time for the patient. It is a technology that is typically used for adult patients. Now there are two hospitals in the U.S. using the technology for pediatric spine surgery.

Here is an interview about the procedure as used in pediatric surgeries.