Intricate Neurosurgical Care.

Our team of skilled neurosurgeons specializes in comprehensive care of the nervous system for infants, children and adolescents.

Services

  • Cranial and spinal trauma
  • Hydrocephalus
  • Spina bifida
  • Craniosynostosis
  • Intracranial and intraspinal neoplasms and vascular malformations
  • Epilepsy requiring cortical resection
  • Craniofacial anomalies
  • Chiari malformations
  • Tethered cord
  • Syringomyelia
For referral and assistance, call (361) 561-1387 or fax (361) 808-2156.

Driscoll Children's Surgery Center

Visit our surgery hub for information on all surgeries preformed at Driscoll Children's Hospital and Clinics.

Important Patient Surgery Information

Surgical Site Infection Frequently Asked Questions

A surgical site infection is an infection that occurs after surgery in the part of the body where the surgery took place. Most patients who have surgery do not develop an infection. However, infections develop in about 1 to 3 out of every 100 patients who have surgery. Some of the common symptoms of a surgical site infection are:

  • Redness and pain around the area where you had surgery
  • Drainage of cloudy fluid from your surgical wound
  • Fever

Yes. Most surgical site infections can be treated with antibiotics. The antibiotic given to you depends on the bacteria (germs) causing the infection. Sometimes patients with SSIs also need another surgery to treat the infection.

To prevent SSIs, doctors, nurses, and other healthcare providers:

  • Clean their hands and arms up to their elbows with an antiseptic agent just before the surgery.
  • Clean their hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub before and after caring for each patient.
  • May remove some of your hair immediately before your surgery using electric clippers if the hair is in the same area where the procedure will occur. They should not shave you with a razor.
  • Wear special hair covers, masks, gowns, and gloves during surgery to keep the surgery area clean.
  • Give you antibiotics before your surgery starts. In most cases, you should get antibiotics within 60 minutes before the surgery starts and the antibiotics should be stopped within24 hours after surgery.
  • Clean the skin at the site of your surgery with a special soap that kills germs.

Before your surgery:

  • Tell your doctor about other medical problems you may have. Health problems such as allergies, diabetes, and obesity could affect your surgery and your treatment.
  • Quit smoking. Patients who smoke get more infections. Talk to your doctor about howyou can quit before your surgery.
  • Do not shave near where you will have surgery. Shaving with a razor can irritate your skin and make it easier to develop an infection.

At the time of your surgery:

  • Speak up if someone tries to shave you with a razor before surgery. Ask why you need to be shaved and talk with your surgeon if you have any concerns.
  • Ask if you will get antibiotics before surgery.

After your surgery:

  • Make sure that your healthcare providers clean their hands before examining you, either with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub.

If you do not see your providers clean their hands, please ask them to do so.

  • Family and friends who visit you should not touch the surgical wound or dressings.
  • Family and friends should clean their hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub before and after visiting you. If you do not see them clean their hands, ask them to clean their hands.
  • Before you go home, your doctor or nurse should explain everything you need to know about taking care of your wound. Make sure you understand how to care for your wound before you leave the hospital.
  • Always clean your hands before and after caring for your wound.
  • Before you go home, make sure you know who to contact if you have questions or problems after you get home.
  • If you have any symptoms of an infection, such as redness and pain at the surgery site, drainage, or fever, call your doctor immediately. If you have additional questions, please ask your doctor or nurse.

Seamless Specialist Care

Visit all your child's specialists in one trip to Driscoll Children's Hospital.

Contact any of our specialty clinics to schedule a convenient one-day visit to all your child’s specialists.

Call 361-694-5000 or your 
specialty clinic.

Meet the Neurosurgery Team

Ashley Hanna MD, FAANS
Ashley Hanna
MD, FAANS
Neurosurgery
See All Driscoll Children’s Doctors

Neurosurgery Locations

Driscoll Children's Hospital, Corpus Christi

3533 S. Alameda St.
Corpus Christi
TX 
78411
(361) 694-5000
24hrs
Neurosurgery
Ste. 502
(361) 694-4700
(361) 808-2156
Mon - Thur: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m., Fri: 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Specialty Center, Brownsville

5500 N. Expressway 77
Brownsville
TX 
78526
(956) 698-8600
(361) 808-2076
Mon - Fri: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Neurosurgery
(956) 698-8600

Specialty Center, McAllen

1120 E. Ridge Rd.
McAllen
TX 
78503
(956) 688-1200
(361) 808-2075
Mon - Fri: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Miracle Stories

Together, Against All Odds

Our experts put their passion to work every day, helping kids defy incredible odds on their health journeys here at Driscoll.
Read More Miracle Stories
cross linkedin facebook pinterest youtube rss twitter instagram facebook-blank rss-blank linkedin-blank pinterest youtube twitter instagram