So I met with an NS today. Never thought I would be able to say this, but I have a good feeling she may be the right one! YAY!! there are still insurance issues, but they seem to feel confident that they can work around it for me! ANYWAYS, I found this so very interesting.& this is something i have heard no mention of on this site ( or otherwise). When I asked her if she planned to open the dura, she said yes. I told her how much that scared me because I have heard some horror stories with both the bovine & synthetic patch. She told me she does a different procedure. She takes a skin graft from next to the skull (incision size would still be the same) & uses that for the patch!!! She also uses a slightly different method of cutting the neck muscles which is supposed to cut down on pain & healing time. Has anyone ever heard of this skin graft method? I will research it, but as for now, I am sold!! An opportunity to NOT attach a foreign object to my brain sounds good to me!! Would love to hear anyone's thought/experience with this!!!!
Mandy, thank you, now lets just hope we work it out with insurance. One question though. She had done extensive work with chiari, was clinical coordinator for chiari/syringomyelia research group, & is published on chiari, but is not board certified. She is a member of american medical assoc. & assoc. of neurological surgeons, but how important is it for your surgeon to be board certified? I dont know what to make of that
The pericranium patch is very common. I had one and have done very well.
I am so glad you found someone you are comfortable with and is willing to try to work out the insurance issues! And she’s a woman!?!?! That’s awesome! I’m not sexist or anything but you don’t meet that many women NS! Women tend to have a lot more compassion:)
Thanx Readyforrelief, she does have a reputayion for being very compassionate. I have a question though, & I will probably start a discussion, but here it is: she seems more educated & experienced in chiari than most, & really took time to explain my personal situation (not to mention her techniques) but she is not board certified. I dont know what to make of that. should it be a concern? any thoughts?
Razzle, your patch is skin graft??
razzle51 said:
synthetic patch or skin graft are the best ... I just didn't want to get cut again... have had mine now 12yrs no leaks alls good..
wow, you are the 1st person here that I heard has one! Glad to hear good things!
Thankful said:
The pericranium patch is very common. I had one and have done very well.
Thanks for the info Mandy!! I already read the info about board certification, but I will read the info on skin grafts. More so, thanx for your opinion about choosing this surgeon. Im confused. People are really scaring me about the certification thing, but I agree with you. Need to see if any of you guys think its a crazy idea. I tend to value the opinions of other chiarians with something like this, although I know everyone means well. THANK YOU
Mandy said:
Here's what the American Board of Neurological Surgery says about board certification:
A neurosurgeon who has been certified by the AMERICAN BOARD OF NEUROLOGICAL SURGERY (ABNS)has completed an approved educational training program and an evaluation process, including written and oral examinations, designed to asses the knowledge, skills, and experience necessary to provide quality patient care in neurological surgery. Neurosurgeons who successfully participate in the ABNS Maintenance of Certification program take steps following their primary certification to preserve and enhance their knowledge and skills. However, certification is not a measure or guarantee of competence, nor does it necessarily indicate compatibility with a particular patient. Patients, therefore, should consider certification as only one factor in selecting a neurological surgeon.
Here's the link:
http://www.abns.org/content/about_abns.asp
I would say go with your gut :)
And here's some research about using your own skin/bone for grafts:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22843136
I had to Google, but autologous means the patient's own materials (skin, bone, blood, etc).
It looks like the success rate is higher for using the patient's own skin/bone, when it's available and usable.
This is great info Jessica, I hadn't heard this was even an option before!
WOW! just read your link, GOOD STUFF!! thank you!
Mandy said:
Here's what the American Board of Neurological Surgery says about board certification:
A neurosurgeon who has been certified by the AMERICAN BOARD OF NEUROLOGICAL SURGERY (ABNS)has completed an approved educational training program and an evaluation process, including written and oral examinations, designed to asses the knowledge, skills, and experience necessary to provide quality patient care in neurological surgery. Neurosurgeons who successfully participate in the ABNS Maintenance of Certification program take steps following their primary certification to preserve and enhance their knowledge and skills. However, certification is not a measure or guarantee of competence, nor does it necessarily indicate compatibility with a particular patient. Patients, therefore, should consider certification as only one factor in selecting a neurological surgeon.
Here's the link:
http://www.abns.org/content/about_abns.asp
I would say go with your gut :)
And here's some research about using your own skin/bone for grafts:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22843136
I had to Google, but autologous means the patient's own materials (skin, bone, blood, etc).
It looks like the success rate is higher for using the patient's own skin/bone, when it's available and usable.
This is great info Jessica, I hadn't heard this was even an option before!
That is going to be something that you are going to need to really consider whether that is important to you. I really liked what Mandy posted about what ABNS says about board certification. I would take into serious consideration how experienced she is with this surgery. How many has she done? This is a very unique disease/condition and surgery so you definitely want someone that is very experienced with Chiari. Do some research on her and don’t be afraid to ask her as many questions as you need to! Sounds like she would be happy to do that and not be snotty about it.
jessica said:
Thanx Readyforrelief, she does have a reputayion for being very compassionate. I have a question though, & I will probably start a discussion, but here it is: she seems more educated & experienced in chiari than most, & really took time to explain my personal situation (not to mention her techniques) but she is not board certified. I dont know what to make of that. should it be a concern? any thoughts?