The Division of Spine and Scoliosis Surgery at Nicklaus Children's Hospital provides diagnosis and treatment of spinal disorders in children and teens.
The division has established itself as one of the most experienced and successful in the nation in treating spine disorders in children. Dr. Stephen George and Dr. Thomas Errico have played a key role in the creation of best practice guidelines that have significantly decreased the length of hospital stay after scoliosis surgery. Dr. Thomas Errico holds more than 150 registered patents and has been influential in the development of some of the latest and most innovative techniques in spinal surgery.
Treatments and Procedures
Conditions We Treat
A Team Approach
The division offers a team approach to care that has been established as a model of practice within the spinal surgical field. The team includes the spine surgical team’s highly experienced board-certified orthopedic surgeons who perform spinal surgery in children, dedicated spine-trained anesthesiologists and a PhD neurophysiologist who monitors, the spinal cord and nerve function throughout surgery. Dedicated spinal surgical nurses, technicians, and radiology technicians complete the spinal surgical team. The surgical nurses are experts in the care of spinal surgery patients, managing six-eight patients per week.
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Latest Imaging Technology
The division offers the latest EOS imaging equipment, which enables the team to obtain a complete image of the spine while the patient is in a natural standing position.
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Long History of Helping Children with Spine Conditions
The Division of Spinal Surgery at Nicklaus Children’s is one of the nation’s leading providers of treatment for children with spinal conditions. The division has been providing treatment for more than 35 years and has been instrumental in development of corrective surgical procedures for spine conditions now in use throughout the world.
Outcomes that are Second to None
The division’s surgical success rates exceed national benchmarks. In early 2014, in conjunction with surgeons at 8 other pediatric institutions, a Performance Improvement Module developed a Best Practice Guideline (BPG) for decreasing length of stay in the treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. The length of stay has decreased 20% as a result of this effort. This BPG has resulted in award winning presentations at major spinal meetings. The Nicklaus Children's Hospital Division of Spine and Scoliosis Surgery is at the top of the nation in terms of innovative care.
Child and Family Friendly Approach
The division’s orthopedic nurses devote unlimited time to preoperative teaching for the patient and family to ensure that each is ready for the procedure. In addition, Child Life Specialists work with children and families upon admission to help with questions before, and after surgery. Children recover in the region’s leading pediatric hospital, which has many special child- and family-friendly features.