Skills are acquired in the placement of ventriculoperitoneal shunts, understanding of shunt failure and revision processes, closure of myelomeningocele, tethered cord release, management of cranial synostosis and Chiari decompression and other basic pediatric neurosurgical procedures. Residents gain an understanding of the biology, pathology and diagnosis of congenital neoplastic, traumatic and other pediatric neurosurgical conditions and are able to interact with the critical care team in the nonoperative management of pediatric closed head injury.
