Anticipating complications in pediatric deformity surgery: is any preparation necessary in healthy children?

Review article.

The goal of this review article is to discuss the steps taken to minimize and reduce complications from surgery in children and adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis.

A majority of children and adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis are otherwise healthy. Most lead relatively normal active lives. Assessing the functional impact of surgery is difficult due to the fact that most patients function at a high level before surgery. Surgery is geared to prevent the long-term problems associated with scoliosis. Complications do occur in the treatment of idiopathic scoliosis. Understanding the nature of these complications may help to improve long-term outcome.

Children and adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis were assessed using radiographs, magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography scans, pain assessment, pulmonary assessment, surgical notes, history, and physical examinations.

No true agreement exists in the literature for standard preoperative assessment of idiopathic scoliosis to reduce and prevent adverse events and surgical complications.

The treating surgeon must be aware of the potential risks, adverse events, and complications associated with the procedure, and must be able to convey this to the patient and their family in a clear and concise manner.