Neurosurgery
Our pediatric neurosurgery program is unlike any other
When your child is facing brain or spinal surgery, it’s crucial that you have full confidence in their clinical care team. We want to assure you: we’re also thinking about that – and we are prepared to provide exceptional care for your child every step of the way.
The pediatric neurosurgery program at Children’s Minnesota is the most comprehensive, best-equipped program in the region. And we’re the only one that cares exclusively for kids. That specialization matters – especially when it comes to young, still-developing brains. Every aspect of our care is tailored for our pediatric patients.
Get a second opinion
When you’re seeking a second opinion, experts at the Children’s Minnesota neuroscience program can help.
Leaders in pediatric neurosurgery
We perform 600+ neurosurgeries each year, far more than any other program in the region. Children’s Minnesota is verified as a Level I Children’s Minnesota Surgery Center, the highest level of distinction for health systems that perform complex surgical procedures in newborns, children and teens.
Our pediatric neurosurgeons offer highly specialized services
Peripheral nerve surgery to treat conditions such as brachial plexus injury, peripheral nerve tumors and hand functionality after a spinal cord injury.
Both single-level and multi-level laminectomy approaches for selective dorsal rhizotomy related to cerebral palsy.
Cerebrovascular neurosurgery by pediatric subspecialists who have expertise in treating vascular malformations, including Moyamoya disease, arteriovenous malformations, and brain aneurysms.
We are national leaders in targeted epilepsy surgery aided by SEEG, subdural grid placement and magnetoencephalopathy.
Children’s Minnesota is home to North America’s first pediatric hybrid intraoperative magnetic resonance imaging (iMRI) suite. This state-of-the-art neurosurgery technology allows our kid experts to perform both brain and total spine scans mid-procedure for surgeries to treat brain tumors, epilepsy, traumatic injuries and optimize surgical outcomes directly at the point of care.
We’re one of the only programs in the region to use a double-powered 3 Tesla MRI system to help the pediatric neurosurgery team map the anatomy and metabolic function of tumors and plan safer, more effective surgical treatments.
Our state-of-the-art robotic operating surgical assistant with advanced image-guided surgical planning capabilities allows pediatric neurosurgeons to quickly perform precise brain surgery and procedures in a timely manner.
Quick-recovery laser brain surgery
We are the only pediatric hospital in the region using an ultra-precise, MRI-guided laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT) ablation system for brain tumor and epilepsy surgeries. This high-tech approach minimizes pain and speeds healing. Most kids are home within 24 hours.
Neuro-oncology collaborative
The neurosurgery team works together with our four pediatric neuro-oncologists to diagnose and treat all types of brain, spine and peripheral nerve tumors. The neuro-oncology program at Children’s Minnesota treats more kids and teens with central nervous system (CNS) tumors than any other health care system in the region.
Fetal spina bifida surgery
Pediatric specialists from the neurosurgery program, neurology program, and the Midwest Fetal Care Center (MWFCC) work together to meet the unique needs of patients with spina bifida, performing surgery on babies still in the womb.
Research: Making neurosurgery safer and easier
Providing world-class care for all kids is our priority, and to accomplish this our neurosurgery team is focused on advancing research and innovations to improve diagnostics, treatments and outcomes for kids with brain and spinal cord traumas, illnesses, and other conditions. We also partner with many collaborative research networks, which gives us access to the latest treatments, surgical techniques, technology and other advances in pediatric neurosurgery.
Patient stories
