Preparing for a child’s spinal surgery can be a very anxious and uncertain time for any parent. You want to be sure that your child will be getting the absolute best care possible with a surgeon you trust. Choosing a surgeon and a hospital for your child’s spine surgery can feel like an overwhelming task, so we are here to help you make that process a bit easier.

If your child needs spine surgery, we understand you may have a lot of questions and concerns. Dr. Nicholas Fletcher is the Director of the Spine Program at Children’s and a board-certified orthopedic surgeon who specializes in pediatric orthopedics, and he has broken down some of the most important questions you should ask your spine surgeon.

Question 1: How many spine surgeries do you perform each year?

As with any other skill, we get better the more we do something. Research shows that a surgeon needs to have a minimum threshold under their belt every year to stay proficient.

“The same way pilots need to do simulations and training to make sure they stay safe and comfortable when flying, surgeons need to operate often to be able to manage complex problems as they arise," Dr. Fletcher explains. "If your surgeon is only performing surgery on kids or teens a couple times a month, you may want to consider a consultation with a surgeon who treats pediatric patients more often. Doctors who perform surgery more often are more proficient and may be able to have less time in the operating room, which can lead to lower complication rates and better outcomes."

At Children’s, we are experts in diagnosing, treating and caring for kids and teens with spine issues. More parents trust the experts at Children’s for spine surgery than anywhere else in the U.S.* Each of the surgeons in our Spine Program perform more than 55 spine surgeries per year on average. We perform more spine surgeries than any other pediatric hospital in the nation—with exceptional results, like a shorter stay in the hospital after surgery than average compared to other Children’s hospitals in the country.*

Question 2: What is your program's national ranking in pediatric orthopedics?

“National ranking, in many ways, signifies a hospital’s dedication to quality improvement over time,” says Dr. Fletcher. “The fact that hospitals like Children’s are willing to commit to maintaining a level of proficiency to be nationally ranked suggests a dedication to providing the best care to every patient.”

It is important to know that the hospital team you are trusting with your child’s surgery maintains a standard that is at or above the rest of the country. Children’s has the only nationally ranked orthopedics program for kids and teens in Georgia, and is the first organization in the state to meet the criteria for a Level 1 Children’s Surgery Verification from the American College of Surgeons.** Our program is ranked among the top 10 in the nation on the U.S. News & World Report list of “Best Children’s Hospitals” for 2023-2024.***

Question 3: Will my child’s surgery be performed at a pediatric hospital?

Kids and teens are not just small adults. Making sure they get specialized care by medical professionals who are specially trained in working with young bodies is incredibly important.

“It comes down to understanding the nuances of managing a 16-year-old who weighs 150 lbs vs. an 8-year-old who weighs 40 lbs,” Dr. Fletcher says. “It’s the comprehensive system of pediatric anesthesiologists, surgeons, radiologists, physical therapists and other members of the overall medical team that understand the differences in working with bodies that are still growing and developing.”

In a general hospital, a pediatric patient may not be the norm, where the operating team is more used to and comfortable working with adults. Pediatric specialists are trained to manage children with neuromuscular problems in a way that general providers may not be as familiar with. This continuity of care flows directly into the operating room, from the people who are managing a patient’s blood—and are equipped to handle any age- and size-specific issues that arise, to the surgeons dealing with size-appropriate implants or devices. In addition, pediatric radiologists understand how to manage X-rays, before and after surgery, using a lower dose protocol.

Where you take your child for surgery matters. At Children’s, we perform more spine surgeries than any other pediatric hospital in the U.S. "With quantity in healthcare, there is a lot of evidence to support the fact that it breeds quality,” Dr. Fletcher says. “You get repetition, experience and professionals who are comfortable at all levels of care.”

At Children’s, with our high volumes and outstanding outcomes, we have been deliberate in making sure that all aspects of care are catered especially to growing kids and teens. We use the most modern technology to maintain the highest level of safety possible, whether it be in navigation or robotics or pediatric-specific anesthesia.

Our goal is to take some of the stress and confusion out of the process of preparing for your child’s spine surgery. If your child needs spine surgery, our professionals will walk you through every step to prepare you for the road ahead.