New equipment enhances post-neurosurgical follow-up thanks to the contribution of the Appulo Lucane Railways
The creation of personalized rehabilitation paths is an integral part of the Diagnostic Therapeutic Assistance Path (PDTA) activated by the Bari Polyclinic for the follow-up of children affected by tumors of the central nervous system. Thanks to the contribution of the Appulo Lucane Railways, promoted by Matteo Sperti, the equipment dedicated to pediatric rehabilitation is enriched with new tools, further strengthening the process of taking care of small patients.
Since 2019, through the definition of the PDTA and the activation of a multidisciplinary team dedicated to taking care of small patients, coordinated by Dr. Teresa Perillo of the Pediatric Oncohaematology Operating Unit, the share of exclusively passive mobility in children affected by these tumors has been reduced by over 70%.
Tumors of the central nervous system represent the second most frequent neoplasm in childhood after leukemia. They require multidisciplinary management and particularly complex multimodal therapeutic management.
In most cases, the care path involves a neurosurgical approach, guaranteed by the Neurosurgery Operational Unit directed by prof. Signorelli with the pediatric neurosurgeon Raffaella Messina. There is also an active Pediatric Neurosurgery clinic dedicated to young patients reported by regional territorial structures through the National Health Service.
The multidisciplinary team includes specialists from different disciplines: Pediatric Oncohematology, Neurosurgery, Neuroradiology, Health Physics and Radiotherapy, Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, Pathological Anatomy, Child Neurology and Neuropsychiatry, Pediatric Radiology, Intensive Care, Pharmacy, Endocrinology, Otolaryngology, Speech Therapy, pediatric palliative care teams, Medical Genetics, Ophthalmology, Emergency Rescue, Psychology Service, professional nurses, as well as the APLETI Parents’ Association. The group meets weekly to collectively discuss the most complex cases and define the most appropriate therapeutic strategies for each patient.
The complex pediatric operational unit with a haematological oncology focus, directed by Dr. Nicola Santoro, is the only center in Puglia capable of guaranteeing children and adolescents international treatment protocols that today represent the gold standard for the treatment of brain tumors, such as the LOGGIC FIREFLY for low-grade gliomas, the SIOP HR MB for medulloblastoma and the SIOP EPENDYMOMA II for ependymomas, as well as the use of latest generation drugs and target therapies.
The management of pediatric rehabilitation is ensured by the physiotherapists of the Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine Unit, directed by Prof. Megna, and is integrated throughout the diagnosis and treatment process of the young patients.
In the Appulo Lucane donation, the equipment dedicated to neuromotor recovery and balance stands out in particular, including modular kits for balance and motor paths, rollers and foam cushions for postural exercises, carpets and mats for floor work, cones and aids for coordination, balls and sensory materials, as well as structured educational games useful for cognitive stimulation and hand-eye coordination, which allow you to build personalized, progressive rehabilitation paths adapted to the different needs of the little ones patients.