title: Anticipating complications in pediatric deformity surgery: is any preparation necessary in healthy children?
abstract: METHODS
  Review article.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The goal of this review article is to discuss the steps taken to minimize and reduce complications from surgery in children and adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  A majority of children and adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis are otherwise healthy. Most lead relatively normal active lives. Assessing the functional impact of surgery is difficult due to the fact that most patients function at a high level before surgery. Surgery is geared to prevent the long-term problems associated with scoliosis. Complications do occur in the treatment of idiopathic scoliosis. Understanding the nature of these complications may help to improve long-term outcome.
  
  
  METHODS
  Children and adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis were assessed using radiographs, magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography scans, pain assessment, pulmonary assessment, surgical notes, history, and physical examinations.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No true agreement exists in the literature for standard preoperative assessment of idiopathic scoliosis to reduce and prevent adverse events and surgical complications.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The treating surgeon must be aware of the potential risks, adverse events, and complications associated with the procedure, and must be able to convey this to the patient and their family in a clear and concise manner.
authors.affiliation: Shriners Hospitals for Children, Chicago, IL 60707, USA.
authors.forename: Peter F
authors.initials: PF
authors.lastname: Sturm
authors.forename: Kristen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Zaharski
authors.forename: Mary
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Riordan
authors.forename: Sahar
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hassani
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D011300:Preoperative Care; D011859:Radiography; D012600:Scoliosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013131:Spine / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome