Patrick Cahill, MD is a pediatric spine specialist at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Dr. Cahill’s practice is centered around treating disorders of the spine including adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, Scheuermann’s kyphosis, infantile scoliosis, neuromuscular scoliosis, complex congenital anomalies of the spine, spondylolisthesis, fractures of the spine, cervical spine disorders, and growth modulation solutions to spinal deformity.
Dr. Cahill is passionate about caring for children with early-onset scoliosis and finding new ways to utilize less invasive methods to management, maximizing the preservation of childhood and safety in treatment options. Although Infantile scoliosis is rare, Dr. Cahill has extensive experience in treating this condition. In keeping with the original principles of Mehta casting, Dr. Cahill strives to maximize the effects of treatment while minimizing unnecessary medical exposures during care. He developed a program that seeks to lessen the need for anesthesia use in young children during critical phases of brain development. CHOP Mehta casting program link.
If spine conditions can no longer be managed with casting or bracing alternatives, Dr. Cahill continues to adhere to his philosophy of providing conscientious care. In 2014 and after FDA approval for use in the United States, Dr. Cahill was the first pediatric spine surgeon to use a magnetically expandable growing rod for care of early onset scoliosis in this country. He continues to be one of the leading physicians pioneering new technology. Severe spine conditions that require surgical interventions would traditionally involve operations regularly throughout each year of childhood to increase spine growth manually while keeping the spine supported and preventing the curve from worsening. Using the magnetic rods can keep children from the operating room for years by a simple visit to the office. The rods can be lengthened by signals through the skin to expand the rods without an incision. CHOP magnetic rod program link.
Some spine, lung, and chest wall conditions are so severe that life-saving surgical measures are required which do not afford the use of externally controlled lengthening devices. A specialized, multidisciplinary team of health providers delivers complex care to these patients as part of the Center for Thoracic Insufficiency Syndrome. Dr. Cahill is a co-director of this team in collaboration with pulmonology, anesthesia, physical therapy, nutrition, genetics, and general surgery. Thoracic Insufficiency Syndrome is a broad group of diagnoses that encompasses restricted growth potential of the thorax, including Spinal Muscular Atrophy, Jeune’s Syndrome, spondylocostal dysostosis (fused ribs and spinal anomalies), Jarcho-Levin Syndrome, and patients with neuromuscular conditions like cerebral palsy and myelomeningocele. These conditions have a detrimental effect on lung function, which may manifest as critical illness. The VEPTR, or Vertical Expandable Prosthetic Titanium Rib, was developed by one of the other co-directors here at CHOP Dr. Robert Campbell. The VEPTR provides crucial expansion of the ribcage and spine by acting similar to a “stretcher” on an umbrella tensioning the ribs to fully open the chest canopy.
In addition to caring for a very young patient with scoliosis, Dr. Cahill is an expert and innovator in the field of Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis. He has spent his career exploring and researching non-invasive or minimally invasive fusion-less options to modify growth for the management of scoliosis, including bracing options and procedures like thoracoscopic vertebral body stapling. He continues to investigate the potential for alternatives to posterior spinal fusion, but he has also been central to research and process improvement initiatives involving spinal fusion as well. In addition to supporting the spine care innovations at CHOP (Rapid Recovery Pathway and Dedicated spine Teams), Dr. Cahill has an interest in merging technology with the art of medicine, using 3D reconstructions and printing to provide safety guides and tools to assist in surgical planning and execution. He is a member of the Scoliosis Research Society, North American Spine Society, Chest Wall and Spine Deformity Study Group, Harms Study Group, Fox study Group, and Pediatric Cervical Spine Study Group.
Although the neck is part of the spine, many spine specialists do not have a niche for cervical spine deformity. Dr. Cahill is one of the few Spine Fellowship Trained Surgeons practicing in a pediatric spine center, giving him added insight and extensive experience in complex cervical spine disorders, including fractures and instability of vertebrae.
Whether a condition is related to uncomplicated scoliosis or rare disorders of the spine, patients travel from all over the country to obtain world-class care from CHOP. If you would like Dr. Cahill to give an opinion, or provide care for your child, our CHOP Orthopedics Nurse Navigator Maribeth Magarity, RN can coordinate care and travel arrangements to assist in streamlined access to the high level of care and excellence that CHOP and Dr. Cahill have to offer.
Dr. Cahill has a dedicated team of experts to support him in the office, operating room, and inpatient orthopedic unit.
Outpatient Staff: Jason R. Smith PA-C, Nicole Schenk CRNP, Susanne Manzoni RN.
Inpatient Staff: Kelly Ryan CRNP, Annette Norton CRNP, Roni Robinson CRNP, Kaila Wand CRNP
As a life-long sports enthusiast, Dr. Cahill routinely defeats his orthopedic partners in tennis, bikes fanatically with little regard for inclement weather, and will play soccer anytime, anywhere. His favorite team is Manchester United, but he shows local Union pride as well. He also enjoys camping and skiing with his lovely wife and three beautiful children.
