The department of neurosurgery with orthopedic
surgeons and anesthesiologists of RIPAS
hospital, Ministry of Health, Brunei Darussalam
has organized a Scoliosis Surgery Workshop from
22nd to 29th January 2008. This workshop is
collaborated with AOSpine international to help
treat patients with scoliosis.
About 8 children underwent surgery during this
workshop. Professor K V Menon, a world renowned
spinal surgeon is in Brunei to help develop this
particular type of surgery in Brunei. Earlier
such patients have to be sent abroad with their
family members for the treatment.
Scoliosis means sideward bending of the spine.
It is a developmental abnormality affecting the
spine that is mostly seen in girls. Scoliosis is
commonly noticed around 10 to 19 years of age,
although it can appear earlier.
The abnormal curvature of the spine usually
starts in a small degree which may not be very
obvious initially. But as the child grows during
the teenage period, this curvature becomes more
pronounced. The progression of the abnormality
varies from child to child where in some it may
not progress at all.
They are many problems in such affected
children. The most conspicuous is that of
cosmetic value. Teenage is the time when the
children and their peers are very much conscious
of their physical appearance. And it is at this
time that most of the affected children get
progressive curve. This can be very devastating
psychologically, more so when they want to get
involved in sports like swimming when the
deformity becomes very much noticeable to
others. The other problems which can occur with
severe scoliosis are breathing and heart
problems.
It is still not clear why some children develop
scoliosis and why it affects girls more than
boys. However it is very important to identify
children with scoliosis at its early stage, so
that treatment can be initiated before the curve
becomes worse. Many of the children can be
managed with just wearing a brace till they
reach adulthood but some may need surgery.
The surgery involves correcting the curve and
fixing the spine using metal rods and screws.
The operation usually lasts between 5 to 6
hours. All the patients are comfortable and do
not have much pain after surgery. They are
allowed to get out of bed and walk after 2 days
and are
usually discharged after a week.
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END -
Date: 19 Muharram 1429H / 28 January 2008
BEFORE OPERATION
AFTER OPERATION
X-RAY BEFORE
OPERATION X-RAY AFTER
OPERATION
PATIENT WITH BRACE
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