Minimally invasive decompression surgery

Have any of you had any experience with minimally invasive decompression surgery? I am not sure if it is as successful in relieving symptoms or if there is a higher need for other procedures in the future.  I am not clear on the average recovery time from the regular procedure vs a less invasive procedure.  I am looking for options as my daughter was just diagnosed with Chiari Malformaiton I and she is supposed to start graduate school in three months. Any  advice is appreciated. Thanks

[selmaS]

Hi and welcome to the chiari forum.

There r drs that do either a few that may do both and depending on what is needed for that patient which may be what is used.If u have a chiari specialist they can tell u which procedure they use and a standard for recovery...HOWEVER...everyone is diff and it can take up to 2 yrs to fully heal from either surgery....some symptoms may be alleviated while others may not. Surgery is not a cure, but a means to slow progression.

Ur DD may have to put school off for a while to be at her best.

And 3 months she may feel great as she will just be stepping off pain meds...and tempted to do too much.

There r a few that had the endoscopy on the forum, I had the PFD and I would not have been able to go back at 3 months...or even now 1 yr post op, but I do have other related issues....so it really is an individual thing.

I wish ur DD the best...and we r happy to have u join us here, so sorry for the reason u had to seek us out.

"selma"

[*Stormy*]

Hello and welcome,

Yes, you do want to get your DD to realize that the surgery and recovery can be a long process. I made the mistake of expecting to be completely better and to get on with my life..and in that way I was disappointed. But, I did see several improvements as well...especially with my gait which was a HUGE thing for me. The other things I do have to struggle through some days but I am also dealing with other factors that could be impeding my recovery.

I was enrolled in school too and I had to pull out when my symptoms got debilitating. I thought about going back this September (would have been 8 months after surgery) but I realized that to be successful, it was really important to give my body the time it needed to heal w/o creating outside stress. I have 3 boys and a husband to take care of..which is a full time job!!

I"m not sure what to say about "minimally invasive" surgery...I know several members here have had it done endoscopically and had success. I think the important thing no matter which way it is done..is to find out if they are just doing the craniotomy (removing a piece of skull) or are the doing all 3..the craniotomy, laminectomy (removal of part of the cervical vetebrae) and the duraplasty (making an opening in the dura to enlarge it and then covering it with a patch). All 3 measures are to create more room for the brain..I have heard of people who have only done the craniotomy and then had to go back and have the other 2 done after b/c it didn't work. So..something to keep in mind and ask your NS.

I wish your DD all the best..
Carolyn

[Dr. A. Srivastava]

Hi, Thank you for your question. In Chiari malformations, the pressure in brain increases which manifests itself as dizziness, diplopia (blurring of vision), migraine like headaches, muscle weakness, facial pain, hearing problems, and extreme fatigue. Sometimes this malformation causes dizziness while working with hands above the shoulder level. Treatment of Chiari malformation depends on the form, severity and associated symptoms. No treatment is required in asymptomatic cases other than regular monitoring. Symptomatic patients may require surgery (posterior fossa decompression surgery). The requirement and pros and cons of surgery in your case should be discussed with your doctor as he knows the severity of problem. Hope this helps.

[dani43946]

Hello there. I am 35 and had my decompression surgery on May 19. I have a two inch scar (four sutures) in the back of my head. My small bit of hair that they did cut has grown back and you cant even see my scar. The healing aspect for the endoscopic procedure is amazing in my situation.
I have had trouble with high intracranial pressure, but he did a lumbar pincture, put me on some meds, and I am feling better.
As for having surgery in the future? I point blank asked him that. And he said, "absolutely not." I told him that all of my symptoms did not go away, and he said that it takes time. And I am new on here, but everyone has told me one major thing: everyone heals differently, and it does take time to start feeling normal again. Another person told me to look at my progress weekly instead of daily. So, am I better today than three weeks ago? Absolutely!
I wish you and your daughter the best.
Lots of love,
Dani
Remember one thing....it does take time for your body to heal. It's brain surgery. No matter if it is endoscopically or not.

[dani43946]

I wanted to add that when I say that my healing has been amazing, I mean my incision. As for the other stuff, it has been a hard road for me. My ICP has been really hard. I had it before the surgery, and my surgeon tells me that alot of people with chiari deal with it after the surgery. It just takes time to go away...there is that word again....time.
((Hugs))
Dani