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Congenital Scoliosis
Hemi Vertebra Resection
Some young children with scoliosis may have abnormally shaped vertebrae in their back that causes the curve. Normal vertebrae are shaped like rectangles. A hemi vertebra is shaped like a triangle or trapezoid. When this hemi vertebra is located at the bottom of the spine it can tilt the base of the spine and cause the child lean to one side. In other parts of the spine, depending on the number of hemi vertebrae present, severe deformity can develop. Depending on your child's situation, this hemi vertebra may be removed from the front, back, or both parts of the spine. Once the hemi vertebra is removed the vertebrae above and below it are fused together, often with instrumentation. Most children will wear a brace or cast after the operation until the spine heals. This operation has inherent risks involved; including bleeding and neurologic injury, but good spinal correction is often achieved.
