Has anyone's child gone through VBT surgery?

Posted by shiasmom @shiasmom, Feb 25, 2021

My daughter is 12 and was recently found to have a 56 degree curve and qualifies for the VBT surgery. I know its a newer surgery and just recently passed FDA in 2019. I am nervous as everyone is. Mostly because it is a newer procedure but is non-invasive. I am concerned about the long-term effects. Sounds like there is a chance the cord could break and a 10 - 20% chance of another surgery to take place. Please tell me more about the experience, post surgery, pain level, comfortability, scarring, and anything else that would be helpful to know.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Spine Health Support Group.

I just wanted to comment on pain management after spine surgery. I have seen many young patients undergo scoliosis surgery over the years. 40 years ago or so they started to treat pain before it became noticed by the patient. Meds were only given as needed initially. There was the concern that it would cause a drug habit.
Surgery recovery improved when pain meds were given on a regular basis, before pain was noticed.
Anyone going through spine surgery should talk to their surgeon about the pain control protocol.

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Hello @shiasmom. I wanted to check back with you on the progress of your request for an appointment for your daughter to see Dr. Larson. Please update us when you can!

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I do have an appointment to see Dr. Larson on March 26th. I am trying to obtain as much information as possible before making a decision on what we will do. We are looking to do the surgery in June after my daughter is done with school.

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Glad to hear. They like to do the surgery when they have about 1 year left of growing. They can tell by x-rays. It is a hard decision. Right now we don't regret the decision we made. Let us know if you decide to do the surgery.

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Thank you! We are definitely doing the surgery. But, am really trying to determine which hospital/surgeon we will use. Dr. Larson has extensive experience which makes me lean towards using her. However, we really liked the surgeon at Gillette Childrens hospital too but he doesn't have as much experience. I've heard from other parents who have experience with one or the other and I haven't heard of any negative reviews from either one. Gillette is only 10 minutes away whereas Rochester is an hour away. I also want to know more about Post Op. What is offered at each facility versus the other. I feel the pain management is my most concern and not the actual surgery itself.

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@shiasmom

Thank you! We are definitely doing the surgery. But, am really trying to determine which hospital/surgeon we will use. Dr. Larson has extensive experience which makes me lean towards using her. However, we really liked the surgeon at Gillette Childrens hospital too but he doesn't have as much experience. I've heard from other parents who have experience with one or the other and I haven't heard of any negative reviews from either one. Gillette is only 10 minutes away whereas Rochester is an hour away. I also want to know more about Post Op. What is offered at each facility versus the other. I feel the pain management is my most concern and not the actual surgery itself.

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Hello @shiasmom. I'm curious how things went with your daughter's appointment on 3/26 and if you've come to a decision as to her surgery plans?

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@amandajro

Hello @shiasmom. I'm curious how things went with your daughter's appointment on 3/26 and if you've come to a decision as to her surgery plans?

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It was a difficult decision but we decided to go to Gillette Children's hospital in St. Paul. We scheduled Shia's surgery for July 9th. The main reason we chose Gillette was because of distance from our home. Gillette is only 10 minutes away versus an hour to Mayo. We talked with many parents and all had great reviews at both hospitals. It was a tough decision.

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@shiasmom

It was a difficult decision but we decided to go to Gillette Children's hospital in St. Paul. We scheduled Shia's surgery for July 9th. The main reason we chose Gillette was because of distance from our home. Gillette is only 10 minutes away versus an hour to Mayo. We talked with many parents and all had great reviews at both hospitals. It was a tough decision.

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@shiasmom thank you for sharing back. Wishing Shia all the best in her July 9th surgery. Please do come back to the community and provide updates on her procedure if you would.

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Hello,
Can anyone connect us with a recommended surgeon in the Phoenix AZ area that works with Mayo? We are looking to get a couple appointments scheduled in the next week or 2. Our son is 14 1/2 and we would like to not see his spined fused if possible. Thanks for any info!

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@trussel583a

Hello,
Can anyone connect us with a recommended surgeon in the Phoenix AZ area that works with Mayo? We are looking to get a couple appointments scheduled in the next week or 2. Our son is 14 1/2 and we would like to not see his spined fused if possible. Thanks for any info!

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Hello @trussel583a and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I know you are looking for a recommendation for a Phoenix surgeon. Please review this link for some additional information as it relates to neurosurgeons who both specialize in minimally invasive spine procedures.

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/scoliosis/doctors-departments/ddc-20350725?locations=Phoenix%2c%20AZ#e60ad0d0bc354936a881a57de90ea8a3

Can you confirm if your son has scoliosis or if this is due to something else?

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