Spina Bifida

WHAT IS SPINA BIFIDA?

During the development of the baby in the womb, while the nervous system is formed, there is a layer of membranes, spinal bones, muscle layer and skin around the spinal cord from the inside out, in November. Due to a problem experienced during baby development in the womb, spina bifida disease occurs when any of these layers covering the spinal cord cannot develop as they should. It can be roughly expressed as the complete non-closure of the posterior side of the spine. The disease can be seen at any level in the posterior part of the structures that make up the nervous system, from the baby’s head to the coccyx. The development problem in the baby’s spine may be visible to the eye, as well as it may not be noticeable when viewed from the outside in its closed forms.

HOW IS SPINA BIFIDA TREATMENT PERFORMED?

The treatment of spina bifida is primarily surgical.

HOW IS SPINA BIFIDA SURGERY PERFORMED?

The purpose of spina bifida surgeries is to close the nervous system, which is open to the outside, in the most appropriate way to the anatomical structure. Since Spina Bifida disease is a disease that occurs in a very wide range, a multidisciplinary approach is important in its treatment. Planning treatment Decoupling of many branches together is important for the living comfort of Spina Bifida patients.

The purpose of Spina Bifida surgery is to close the exposed nerve structures as much as possible in accordance with the anatomical structure. If there is a sac on the skin due to Spina Bifida, this incision is closed from the inside out by combining the nerve membrane, bone and November muscle structure of the skin into which the nerves will be placed. In this way, protection against infections can be provided. The nervous system in the open state is turned off. The treatment of Spina Bifida is surgical, but it is necessary to treat the patient and the disease as a whole.  Pediatricians, pediatric neurology, pediatric orthopedics, pediatric urology, neurosurgery, physical therapy, radiology doctors should work in unity within this whole. Only in this way can maximum benefit be provided to patients.

Preventive treatments are on the agenda after the surgery. According to the problem experienced, preventive treatments such as bladder protection, physical therapy, muscle strengthening are on the November agenda.

In spina bifida disease, Hydrocephalus disease, commonly known as water collection in the brain, can also be observed. The two diseases are linked by a cause-and-effect relationship. Simultaneous treatments should be applied in children with spina bifida and hydrocephalus at the same time. The treatment of hydrocephalus is largely done with devices called shunts. Shunts are a thin tubular device made of silicone that directs water accumulated in the brain to another place in the body, such as the abdominal cavity, where it can be absorbed. Children with spina bifida are usually expected to weigh over a certain number of kilograms for shunt treatment, as they are children who were born prematurely and whose body has not developed. For this reason, long-term hospitalizations may be required in the hospital.

Infections can develop in patients with spina bifida, especially in open types, because part of the nervous system is located outside. It is vital that the necessary measures are taken to protect children from infections.

Complete treatment of spina bifida may not be possible in the advanced stages of the disease. Nerve repair is not possible, especially in cases where the nerves have overflowed outside the spine and have been damaged. Treatments that will increase the comfort of life in these patients are on the agenda. However, complete treatment can be provided by surgical methods in patients with Spina bifida, which is called closed form and has not progressed.