Providing Transformative Care

Healthy children grow every day. Their minds and bodies are constantly changing and adapting. However, children diagnosed with thoracic and spinal diseases are, often times, inhibited from development and growth. Fortunately, specialists at The Children’s Hospital of San Antonio’s Spinal and Thoracic Treatment and Research (STTAR) Center offer testing, diagnosis, and treatment for a variety of pediatric thoracic and spinal diseases to help children reach their potential.

“The services provided by our team in the STTAR Center are life-saving and transformative,” said Dr. Alec Stall, chief of orthopedic surgery and medical director of the STTAR Center at The Children’s Hospital of San Antonio. “We are also committed to providing the best clinical care available today and answering critical unanswered questions through research. We hope to continue to improve treatments for children with spine and chest deformities.”

In 1989, physicians at The Children’s Hospital invented the Vertical Expandable Prosthetic Titanium Rib (VEPTR), a unique surgical treatment for children with thoracic insufficiency syndrome and scoliosis. The device was groundbreaking, making The Children’s Hospital the global leader in the field. Today, the STTAR Center continues to provide cutting-edge and high-quality care for children in our community, and from around the world, who benefit from the Titanium Rib.

“As the Titanium Rib Program evolves, our mission is to ensure our patients have access to the latest and most advanced techniques, supported by the best science,” Dr. Stall added. “Donor support is crucial as we strive to continue to treat every child who comes to use for care, no matter how sick they are or how complex their condition is.”

Your support will help children, like Evan, who was born with a tethered spinal cord, intertwined ribs, and scoliosis. His condition qualified him for the Titanium Rib Program at The Children’s Hospital, where he received the life-saving care he needed.