Thromboelastography Transfusion Protocol for Pediatric Neuromuscular Scoliosis Surgery

The long-term goal of this study is to optimize the perioperative care of pediatric spinal deformity patients, minimizing perioperative complications and increasing cost-effectiveness of perioperative hematologic management. The objective of the proposed study, which is the initial step in pursuit of this goal, is to evaluate the effectiveness of thromboelastography (TEG) to monitor coagulation pathways and direct blood product replacement in pediatric neuromuscular spinal deformity surgery. The central hypothesis of this study is that TEG will decrease exposure to allogeneic packed red blood cells (PRBC). The rationale is that proven effectiveness of TEG in neuromuscular deformity may change the standard of care for hematologic management in neuromuscular spinal deformity cases and additionally set the stage for a multicenter trial in idiopathic pediatric deformity.