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On Demand

In Utero Surgery for Spina Bifida: A 12 year Experience


Total Credits: 1 including 1 AOA Category 1-A Credit(s)

Average Rating:
Not yet rated
State Associations:
TOMA - Texas
Faculty:
Stephen Fletcher, DO, FACOS
Duration:
58 Minutes
Expiration:
Never Expires.


Description

Having performed the first in-utero repair of a spina bifida patient in Texas, Dr. Fletcher has performed more than 150 of these operations since 2011. The rationale, technical aspects of the surgery, and long term management in conjunction with primary care providers will be discussed. This is one entity where excellent coordination between the neurosurgical and the primary care team are crucial to maximizing the long term outcomes of this complex medical problem. The problem list and it's changes from infancy to adulthood are discussed.

Upon completion of this program, participants will be able to:

  1. Review the wide range of clinical problems in patients with open neural tube defects
  2. Discuss the primary care management in this complex patient group from childhood into adulthood
  3. Review the impact of the new technology of in-utero surgery and how it dramatically altered the outcomes of these patients.

 

Statement of Accreditation
The Texas Osteopathic Medical Association (TOMA) is accredited by the American Osteopathic Association to provide osteopathic continuing medical education for physicians. TOMA designates is program for a maximum of 1 AOA Category 1-A credits and will report CME credits commensurate with the extent of the physician’s participation in this activity.

Grievance Policy
All grievances may be directed to TOMA's Executive Director at toma@txosteo.org. All grievances will receive an initial response within 30 days of receipt.  If the participant does not receive a satisfactory response, they can submit a complaint to the Bureau of Osteopathic Education of the AOA at 142 East Ontario Street, Chicago, IL 60611.
 

Handouts

Faculty

Stephen Fletcher, DO, FACOS's Profile

Stephen Fletcher, DO, FACOS Related Seminars and Products

University of Texas Medical School at Houston


Stephen A. Fletcher, DO, specializes in brain tumors, fetal neurosurgery and vascular disorders in children.

He received his medical degree at the University of North Texas Health Science Center’s Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine, and completed his neurosurgery residency at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston/Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center and Oklahoma State University/Oklahoma Osteopathic Hospital. He also completed a fellowship in pediatric neurosurgery at The University of Texas Southwestern Medical School and Dallas Children’s Hospital.

Dr. Fletcher’s research interests include Chiari malformation, medical management of trauma-associated brain swelling, attempts at culturing brain tumor cell lines in collaboration with The University of Texas MD Anderson Children’s Cancer Center, and development of innovative surgical options for management of fetal spina bifida patients.

An associate professor in the Department of Pediatric Surgery at McGovern Medical School, he treats patients from fetus to young adulthood, as well as some adults. In practice since 1980, Dr. Fletcher formerly was the chief of surgery at Kingwood Medical Center, chief of pediatric neurosurgery at Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital (2003 to 2012) and director of pediatric neurosurgery at McGovern Medical School.

Dr. Fletcher is committed to providing outstanding pediatric neurosurgical care, including:

  • Chiari malformation in children
  • Pediatric brain tumors
  • Congenital anomalies
  • Medical management of trauma-associated brain swelling
  • Spina bifida
  • Fetal neurosurgery

Dr. Fletcher discloses that he has no relevant financial relationships with any organization producing, marketing, reselling, or distributing health care goods or services consumed by, or used on, patients relative to the content of this presentation.


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