Pediatric cervical spine surgery

Request an Appointment
Print

Mayo Clinic's approach

Team approach

Pediatric experts. Mayo Clinic's pediatric experts provide the highest quality care for children who have cervical spine conditions. Your child receives care from an experienced multispecialty team that includes specialists from pediatric neurosurgery, pediatric neurology, pediatric orthopedic surgery, pediatric rehabilitation and other areas. Together they provide the most appropriate treatment for your child — before and after surgery. Specialized nursing and child life specialists help ensure care and education is targeted to your child's development and understanding.

Advanced technology

Mayo Clinic surgeons use the latest techniques for pediatric cervical spine surgery, including minimally invasive approaches, 3D printed models, navigation and low-dose imaging during surgery to guide the procedure.

Mayo Clinic is consistently recognized by external organizations for providing outstanding patient care. These endorsements reinforce our commitment to provide expert, compassionate care to both children and adults.

Expertise and rankings

Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, Mayo Clinic in Phoenix/Scottsdale, Arizona, and Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida, are ranked among the Best Hospitals for neurology and neurosurgery and for orthopedics by U.S. News & World Report. Mayo Clinic Children's in Rochester is ranked the No. 1 hospital in Minnesota and the five-state region of Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin, according to U.S. News & World Report's 2025-2026 "Best Children's Hospitals" rankings.

Learn more about Mayo Clinic's orthopedic surgery, neurosurgery and neurology departments' expertise and rankings.

Mayo Clinic Children's

Highly skilled pediatric experts diagnose and treat all types of conditions in children. As a team, we work together to find answers, set goals and develop a treatment plan tailored to your child's needs.

Learn more about Mayo Clinic Children's.

Locations, travel and lodging

Mayo Clinic has major campuses in Phoenix and Scottsdale, Arizona; Jacksonville, Florida; and Rochester, Minnesota. The Mayo Clinic Health System has dozens of locations in several states.

For more information on visiting Mayo Clinic, choose your location below:

Mayo Clinic's campus in Arizona

Mayo Clinic's campus in Florida

Mayo Clinic's campus in Minnesota

Mayo Clinic Health System

Mayo Clinic Healthcare, located in London

Costs and insurance

Mayo Clinic works with hundreds of insurance companies and is an in-network provider for millions of people.

In most cases, Mayo Clinic doesn't require a physician referral. Some insurers require referrals or may have additional requirements for certain medical care. All appointments are prioritized on the basis of medical need.

Learn more about appointments at Mayo Clinic.

Please contact your insurance company to verify medical coverage and to obtain any needed authorization prior to your visit. Often, your insurer's customer service number is printed on the back of your insurance card.

More information about billing and insurance:

Mayo Clinic in Arizona, Florida and Minnesota

Mayo Clinic Health System

Clinical trials

Explore Mayo Clinic studies of tests and procedures to help prevent, detect, treat or manage conditions.

By Mayo Clinic Staff
Request an appointment
Doctors & Departments
July 18, 2026
Print
  1. Longo D, et al., eds. Neck pain. In: Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine. 22nd ed. McGraw Hill; 2026. https://accessmedicine.mhmedical.com. Accessed Nov. 16, 2025.
  2. Leonard JC. Evaluation and acute management of cervical spine injuries in children and adolescents. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed Oct. 26, 2023.
  3. An S, et al. Pediatric spine trauma. Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society. 2022; doi:10.3340/jkns.2021.0282.
  4. Ami TR. Allscripts EPSi. Mayo Clinic. Sept. 4, 2023.
  5. Preparing for surgery: Kids' checklist. American Society of Anesthesiologists. https://www.asahq.org/madeforthismoment/preparing-for-surgery/prep/preparing-for-surgery-kids-checklist/. Accessed Oct. 26, 2023.
  6. Steinmetz MP, et al., eds. Benzel's Spine Surgery: Techniques, Complication Avoidance, and Management. 5th ed. Elsevier; 2022. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed Oct. Nov. 3, 2023.
  7. Azar FM, et al. Pediatric cervical spine. In: Campbell's Operative Orthopaedics. 14th ed. Elsevier; 2021. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed Oct. 26, 2023.
  8. Winn HR, ed. Surgical management of the pediatric subaxial cervical spine. In: Youmans and Winn Neurological Surgery. 8th ed. Elsevier; 2023. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed Oct. 26, 2023.
  9. Zhang JK, et al. Pediatric cervical spine trauma: A narrative review. Clinical Spine Surgery. 2024; doi:10.1097/BSD.0000000000001708.
  10. Garfin SR, et al., eds. Congenital anomalies of the cervical spine. In: Rothman-Simeone and Herkowitz's the Spine. 7th ed. Elsevier; 2018. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed Nov. 6, 2023.
  11. Saarinen AJ, et al. Results of conservative and surgical management in children with idiopathic and nonidiopathic Os Odontoideum. World Neurosurgery. 2021; doi:10.1016/j.wneu.2020.12.043.
  12. Oh T, et al. Pediatric cervical spine trauma: Injury patterns, diagnosis and treatment. Pediatric Neurosurgery. 2024; doi:10.1159/000541483.
  13. Tang AR, et al. Characterizing pediatric cervical fusion in the modern era: Indications, complications and fusion rates. Journal of Neurosurgery. 2024; doi:10.3171/2024.8.PEDS24122.
  14. AskMayoExpert. Pediatric preoperative considerations. Mayo Clinic; 2023.
  15. Luo TD, et al. Accuracy of pedicle screw placement in children 10 years or younger using navigation and intraoperative CT. Clinical Spine Surgery. 2016; doi:10.1097/BSD.0000000000000230.
  16. Bauer JM, et al. Pediatric halo use: Indications, application and potential complications. Journal of the Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America. 2024; doi:10.1016/j.jposna.2024.100129.
  17. Gigliotti MJ, et al. Cervical pediatric spine trauma managed with open spinal fixation and instrumentation and a review of the literature. Cureus. 2021; doi:10.7759/cureus.14004.
  18. Who we are. Pediatric Spine Foundation. https://pediatricspinefoundation.org/AboutUs.aspx#history. Accessed Nov. 7, 2023.
  19. Medical review (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic. Nov. 7, 2023.

Related

Products & Services

Pediatric cervical spine surgery