Tethered Spinal Cord Release

Neurosurgery Department, UF College of Medicine

Preoperative, Postoperative and Home Recovery Instructions

Introduction

The purpose of this guide is to provide you with information regarding your child's planned surgery.

Preparation for Surgery

In preparation for surgery your child may have blood drawn for analysis. These tests allow your physician to identify particular health problems that could require further evaluation before surgery.

Diagnostic imaging studies of the brain and/or spine, such as x-ray, CT or MRI scans, may need to be performed to provide your surgeon with anatomic detail for surgery.

You will meet with the neurosurgery nurse practitioner who will perform a complete history and physical exam on your child within seven days of the surgery.

You will meet with a representative of the anesthesia staff prior to surgery to discuss the surgical anesthesia and its risks.

You will be given a phone number (352-265-0023 or 800-832-6780) to call the night before surgery to verify the time and location you should go before surgery.

You will be given special soap to bathe you child with the night before surgery. You should wash your child's body well the night before surgery and not apply any type of lotion.

After Your Operation

You should expect your child to be in surgery for 1-4 hours.

Following surgery your child will go to the Pediatric Intermediate Care Unit (PIMC). When stable, usually the day after surgery, your child will be transferred to the Pediatric Floor. You will be able to stay with your child while he/she is in the hospital, however there may be times that you are asked to leave. Your child will likely have a semi-private room on the Pediatric floor. You will be kept informed of your child's progress and any changes.

Your child may be connected to several monitors that will measure heart rate, breathing and blood pressure. Your child will have at least one intravenous line (IV) in place that will be used to administer fluids and medications. Your child may have a catheter in his/her bladder during surgery. This will be removed soon after surgery. Your child may experience urinary retention after surgery necessitating intermittent bladder catheterization. This is usually temporary, however if it persists you will be taught how to catheterize your child prior to discharge from the hospital.

Your child will be hospitalized for up to 2-5 days.

Incision: Your child may have a dressing on his/her back that will remain in place for one to two days.
Pain: After surgery your child may experience pain in the region of the incisions. Your child will be given pain medication by vein in the first 24 hours after surgery. Before your child is discharged home he/she will be switched to pain mediation taken by mouth.; Some patients also experience a sore throat due to the presence of the breathing tube during the surgery. Ice chips, cool liquids or throat lozenges may soothe this pain.
Activity: Your child may be required to lie on his/her stomach for up to 48 hours after surgery.
Diet: Your child will be allowed to eat a normal diet as soon as soon as he/she is stable. Your child will not need IV fluids as soon as he/she is taking a normal diet and medications by mouth. Your child's IV will remain in place until just prior to discharge.

Discharge Instructions

Incision Care: You may notice swelling around your child's incisions. This is expected and should resolve in several days. The sutures used to close the incisions on your child's back will not need to be removed. The sutures should be absorbed in four to six weeks. You should not apply and creams or ointments to the incision. Four days after surgery your child's body may be washed. Your child may shower but should not have tub bathes or swim for two weeks.
Pain: Your child may be given acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Motrin) for pain. Make sure you follow the package instructions for the amount to give based on your child's weight. Do not give more than 5 doses of acetaminophen or 4 doses of ibuprofen in a 24- hour period. You will also be given a prescription for a mild narcotic pain medication that can be used if Tylenol or Motrin do not provide pain relief.
Medications: Your child may resume previously prescribed medications.
Activity: Your child may resume normal activities once discharged home from the hospital. He/She should be able to return to school/work in 1-2 weeks. He/She should refrain from contact sports or other strenuous activities until his/her follow-up appointment.
Follow-up Appointment: Your child will need to be seen in the neurosurgery clinic 6 weeks after his/her discharge from the hospital. He/She may also need a CT/MRI scan of his/her back prior to the office visit. Your appointment may have already been made for you though our office. Please call 352-273-9000 to confirm.
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Neurosurgery Department

University of Florida

Neurosurgery Department, UF College of Medicine