Emphasizing children, not diseases
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Neurosurgery
Pediatric neurosurgery at Helen DeVos Children's Hospital focuses on care that emphasizes people, not diseases. We are the only pediatric neurosurgery program in the region. From congenital neurological conditions to traumatic injury or illness, taking care of children and families is our mission and our priority. We are also able to observe and adjust programmable shunts during office visits, which controls costs and saves families time. Our Advanced Management of Pediatric Spasticity Program is a collaborative partnership with Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital.
Find a Pediatric Neurosurgeon
Our experienced pediatric doctors and specialists are ready to serve you and your family.
Pioneering minimally invasive procedures
Our pediatric neurosurgery team has brought new capabilities and advanced procedures to West Michigan. We focus on minimally invasive procedures because of their great benefit to the patient, including shorter hospital stays, faster recovery times, smaller incisions, less trauma and fewer side effects. We have pioneered two key procedures:
- Minimally invasive surgery for brain tumors, which has dramatically shorter recovery times than the more traditional surgery
- Minimally invasive selective dorsal rhizotomy, which helps children with spasticity to walk with less effort
Our programs
Conditions we treat
Our pediatric neurosurgery team has expertise in treating a variety of conditions, including, but not limited to:
Your visit
If your child has been referred to us, knowing that everything is in place can help ease anxiety. Our neurosurgeons can provide a complete diagnosis, answer your questions and identify the best possible treatment. Early diagnosis and management can help your child to be treated more effectively and receive an improved prognosis. We only refill prescriptions if your child has had surgery, and only until he or she is discharged from our service. Please be aware that siblings may come to an appointment, but all patients under age 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
- Arrange with your child’s primary care physician for a referral form to be provided to our office
- Plan on 30 minutes to one hour for the initial consultation
- Arrive 15 minutes before your appointment to complete a health history and registration
- Contact us with any questions about your referral or appointment (Monday to Friday from 8am to 5pm)
- A referral form from your child’s primary care physician, if it has not already been sent to us
- A list of current medications (including the dosage and the length of time your child has been taking each medication)
- Insurance cards
- Any test results, MRIs, CT scans or ultrasounds that have been done outside of Spectrum Health hospitals or care locations (and that are related to this condition)
Some children may need an X-ray, MRI or CT scan. These tests will be scheduled for you in the hospital’s radiology department.
Follow-up
If your child has (or) undergoes tests as part of the initial consultation, a follow-up appointment will be made to review them with you. If the results are abnormal, we will discuss treatment options with you. Depending on his or her needs, your child may be referred to one of our pediatric subspecialists for further evaluation.
Our locations
Our neurosurgery clinics are available in Lansing, Grand Rapids, St. Joseph and Traverse City. All surgeries are performed at Helen DeVos Children's Hospital in downtown Grand Rapids.