treatment

Last reviewed 01/2018

Management of a patient with spina bifida is based on a multi-disciplinary approach:

  • neurosurgery for hydrocephalus and closure of defect
  • urological surgery for urinary incontinence
  • orthopaedic surgery for muscle imbalance and joint deformity
  • physiotherapists may be heavily involved in long-term care

Witholding treatment may be appropriate in the most severe cases of spina bifida, based on poor prognostic factors.