Outcomes for Pediatric Neurosurgery

Neurosurgery is a medical field founded on precision. To maintain the level of precision necessary for the best neurosurgical outcomes, we consider everything we’ve learned up to the present time. That’s why keeping detailed accounts of outcomes and data is of the utmost importance.

Why measurements and transparency in pediatric neurosurgery matter

Maintaining a record of accurate data helps us continuously improve our practices, techniques, and the treatment we provide. Sharing that data publicly confirms for our patients and their families that they’ve found the right place for treatment. Not all hospitals share their data and outcomes like Children’s Hospital Colorado, but we believe this kind of transparency is the best way to show that we’re always striving to provide the absolute best care — whether it’s a common cold or a complex neurosurgical condition.

Using data to improve practices and reach better outcomes for pediatric neurosurgery

The outcomes and data we analyze drive our quality improvement projects. For example, we’ve changed the valves we use for ventricular shunt patients to address previous complications. And by refining our process for cleaning the patients’ skin prior to surgery, we’ve decreased infection rates in patients who have a ventricular shunt operation.

Neurosurgery can require relatively more frequent and longer hospital stays, which can have a big impact on our patients. That’s why we analyzed post-operative outcomes in an effort to avoid unnecessary CT scans and unnecessary post-operative ICU admissions. We’ve also altered practice patterns for pediatric neurotrauma patients to limit hospitalizations and optimize availability of important equipment, such as spinal braces.

Moving forward with improved treatment and better care for pediatric neurosurgery

Our outcomes help us improve our care and continuously advance. It’s important to identify what currently works, but more importantly, address what can be improved. Through this constant process, we’re driving toward our goal of providing the best neurosurgical care possible. And by publishing our outcomes publicly, we’re showing our patients exactly where we stand and what we’re doing to become better.

Neurosurgery surgical volumes

Surgical volumes measure the overall number of surgeries our group performs each year. Our team gains more experience with every surgery, which leads to better outcomes.

Craniofacial surgical volumes

Craniofacial surgical volumes show how many craniofacial surgeries our team performs annually. Our team regularly works with plastic and reconstructive surgeons to perform surgery for children with craniofacial conditions.

Tumor surgery outcomes

Tumor surgery outcomes show how often our patients who have a tumor in the brain or spine must return to the operating room for further surgery that wasn’t planned before the first operation. Between 2020 and 2023, out of 306 total brain tumor patients who had surgery, 14 of them had to return to the OR, which is a rate of 4.5%. Between 2020 and 2023, out of 36 total spine tumor patients who had surgery, none of them had to return to the OR, which is a rate of 0%.

Ventricular shunt outcomes

Ventricular shunt outcomes show how often our patients with ventricular shunts have a blockage or infection of the shunt within 30 days of a shunt operation. Between 2020 and 2023, out of 196 new ventricular shunt operations, 23 patients had a blockage or infection requiring them to return to the OR, which is a rate of 11.7%.

Infection rates

Infection rates (SSI neurosurgery globally) measure how often one of our patients develops an infection after a neurosurgical procedure. Between 2019 and 2023, out of 4,432 surgeries, 106 patients developed an infection, which is a rate of 2.3%.

Resection and Engel class score of 1 or 2

Seizure freedom is overwhelmingly the goal of resection surgeries. Post-operative seizure freedom is often evaluated using the Engel classification scale with class 1 and class 2 outcomes representing either zero or infrequent disabling seizures, respectively after surgery.