When a child must undergo surgery of the brain, spine or spinal cord, the family must have the utmost confidence and trust that their child will receive the best care available anywhere. The Children’s Center team understands that apprehension, anxiety, and concern are normal and works with the child and family to provide complete, compassionate care. Each year, hundreds of patients travel from neighboring states and throughout California to the Children’s Center to receive excellent neurosurgical treatment from skilled pediatric neurosurgeons and a multidisciplinary team of neurosurgery and pediatric specialists, specially trained nurses, Child Life specialists and others who ensure the best experience possible.

At the Children’s Center, our goal is to provide each child with access to the most advanced surgical treatments, including minimally invasive options. Using a patient- and family- centered approach means that families and health care professionals share an equal partnership in developing an individualized treatment plan for each child. Patients’ and families’ questions are answered as fully as possible to assure understanding of the care plan.

Our Team
Samuel Ciricillo, M.D., is the director of Pediatric Neurosurgery and has extensive experience treating children with conditions of the brain, spine and spinal cord. In addition, Dr. Ciricillo is the Medical Director of the Sutter Neuroscience Institute and President of the Sutter Neuroscience Medical Group.

George Picetti, III, M.D., is an innovator in minimally invasive spine surgery and specializes in treating scoliosis and other spine disorders in children and adults. Dr. Picetti is currently the head of minimally-invasive spine surgery center at the Children’s Center.

Children’s Center at Sutter Medical Center, Sacramento offers an interdisciplinary approach to each child’s care, combining the skills of pediatric neurosurgeons and pediatric spine surgeons with other pediatric specialists, including neurologists, orthopedists, oncologists and endocrinologists. The care team also includes the special expertise of pediatric physical and occupational therapists, Child Life specialists, nurses and technicians. In addition to receiving the highest level of care, children and families benefit from receiving diagnosis and treatment from professionals specifically trained to work with children in an environment geared toward ensuring their comfort.

Conditions Treated
The Children’s Center pediatric specialists provide surgical care and non-surgical care to infants, children and young adults with neurological conditions of the brain, spine and spinal cord, including:

• Brain and spinal cord tumors (pediatric neuro-oncology)
• Hydrocephalus
• Craniofacial anomalies
• Intracranial and spinal cysts
• Spinal dysraphism (Spina Bifida)
• Surgery for epilepsy
• Brain and spinal cord trauma
• Congenital brain anomalies
• Cerebrovascular disorders (Moya Moya)
• Brachial plexus and peripheral nerve injuries
• Movement disorders
• Congenital and developmental spine abnormalities
• Scoliosis
• Kyphosis
• Pediatric Gamma Knife Radiosurgery

Children’s Center pediatric neurosurgeons have access to leading-edge advances in pediatric neurosurgical treatments and have helped pioneer the latest techniques in minimally invasive surgery. Advanced diagnostic, treatment and monitoring tools include Gamma Knife radiosurgery; minimally invasive endoscopic surgery, baclofen pumps and selective posterior rhizotomies for spacticity treatment, 24-hour pediatric epilepsy monitoring and innovative, less-invasive procedures for spine disorders and scoliosis.

Referring Patients
To refer a patient, or for further information about our Pediatric Neurosurgery and Spinal Deformities Correction Program, please call (916) 454-6850.

For more information about specific neurological conditions, please visit our health information section.