A Multidisciplinary Perioperative Care Coordination Pathway for Hip and Spine Reconstruction in Non-ambulatory Patients with Cerebral Palsy Current Concept Review

Abstract

Many non-ambulatory children with cerebral palsy (CP) who are indicated for hip reconstruction and/or spine surgery are medically complex and thus high-risk surgical candidates. A well-coordinated, multidisciplinary team approach to the care of these youth is essential to reduce the risk of perioperative complications. This review offers an evidence-based overview covering interventions that have been shown to improve safety and outcomes after hip and spine surgery in non-ambulatory CP. Specifically, this review will focus on the team approach to perioperative care coordination with the goals of optimizing medical and nutritional status, reducing postoperative complications, and improving patient and family satisfaction. Further, this review will highlight the associated care pathway utilized at Nemours Children’s Health-Delaware, in addition to highlighting key measures that may be adopted by other institutions to help foster organizational cultures that prioritize family-centered care.