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This page was last updated at 11:38AM on August 7, 2012

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Public Service

Starship Paediatric Neurosurgery

Hours

Our service operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Neurosurgery Nurse Specialist: Mon to Fri 7.30am - 4pm.

Description

What is Neurosurgery?
Neurosurgery is the surgical specialty that deals with diseases or disorders of the brain, spinal cord and nerves.
 
A neurosurgeon is a doctor who has specialised in the surgical and medical management of neurological diseases and conditions.
 

The Neurosurgical Department at Starship Children's Health treats children aged 0-15 yrs with diseases or trauma involving the central and peripheral nervous system. It covers the full range of neurosurgical problems, some of which include trauma (mild to severe head injuries), benign and malignant brain and spinal tumours, neurovascular conditions, congenital problems, craniofacial surgery, and management of hydrocephalus.

The Department currently covers an extensive area of the North Island from Northland, all of Auckland, Coromandel to Taranaki, Waikato, Lakeland and Tairawhiti.

Referral Expectations

Referrals are triaged (sorted into groups according to urgency of need) by specialists and allocated a grading. If serious, i.e Grade A, the case is booked immediately for Outpatients.

Urgent acute cases go through the Children's Emergency Department via the Paediatric Neurosurgical registrar and after hours and in the weekend by the on call registrar.

Procedures / Treatments

  • Cerebral Aneurysm

    A cerebral (cranial) aneurysm is a weakened section in the wall of a blood vessel in the brain that bulges or balloons out.… More

  • Brain Tumour

    Brain tumours may be primary (they arise in the brain or spinal cord) or metastatic (they have originated in another part of the body and travelled to the brain).… More

  • Subdural Haematoma

    A subdural haematoma is a collection of blood that forms beneath the outer protective covering of the brain, the dura mater.… More

  • Spinal Tumour

    Tumours may be found within the spinal cord itself, between the spinal cord and its tough outer covering, the dura, or outside the dura.… More

  • Laminectomy

    This procedure involves making an incision down the centre of the back and removing some or all of the bony arch (lamina) off a vertebra.… More

  • Extradural Haematoma

    An extradural haematoma (EDH) is usually an injury to the brain that occurs following a blow to the head.  This can be due to falls, road traffic accidents or blunt trauma.  Bleeding occurs into the space between the membranes that cover the brain.  If the bleed is large, this is… More

  • CT Scan

    "CT" stands for Computerised Tomography.  It is a process which produces x-ray pictures as cross-sectional images (slices) of the body.  This technology allows the doctors to see details of the brain, spine and other internal organs that are not visible on plain x-ray.  It is possible that before or during… More

  • MRI Scan

    "MRI" stands for Magnetic Resonance Imaging; it is the latest and most advanced method of diagnostic imaging.  It combines a powerful magnet, radio waves and a sophisticated computer to create highly detailed anatomical images of the body.  It has two major advantages.  Firstly, scanning can be performed in any plane… More

  • Hydrocephalus

    Hydrocephalus is an abnormal (excessive) accumulation of fluid in the head.  The fluid is called cerebrospinal fluid, commonly referred to as CSF.  The CSF is located and produced within the fluid cavities of the brain called ventricles.  The function of CSF is to cushion the delicate brain and spinal cord… More

  • Craniofacial Surgery

    Craniosynostosis is a disorder in which there is early fusion of the sutures of the skull in childhood.  It produces an abnormally shaped head and, at times, appearance of the face.  The deformity varies significantly depending on the sutures or suture involved.  Surgical correction may be necessary to improve appearance… More

  • Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt

    Ventriculoperitoneal shunt or VP shunt is a device used to divert the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from the ventricles in the brain to the abdominal cavity.  The fluid is then absorbed naturally through the peritoneal lining in the abdominal cavity back into the bloodstream.  A VP shunt needs to be surgically… More

  • Tethered Spinal Cord

    In tethered spinal cord, the lower end of the spinal cord stays attached to the base of the spine, rather than riding freely up and down the spinal canal.… More

  • Arteriovenous Malformation (AVM)

    Cerebral arteriovenous malformation (AVM) often causes no signs or symptoms until the AVM ruptures, resulting in bleeding in the brain.… More

Consultants

Mr Christopher Furneaux
Neurosurgeon
Mr Peter Heppner
Neurosurgeon
Mr Andrew Law
Neurosurgeon

Visiting Hours

Visiting hours are from 8am to 8pm, with quiet time on the ward from 1pm to 3pm, when only parents or caregivers are allowed on the ward.

Website

www.starship.org.nz

Location Information

Contact Details

Phone (09) 307 4949 ext7500
Fax (09) 307 4912
Email stephaniem@adhb.govt.nz

Street Address

2 Park Road
Grafton
Auckland 1023

Postal Address

Starship Children's Health
Private Bag 92 024
Auckland Mail Centre
Auckland 1142
New Zealand

Map & more information

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