Spina Bifida & Chiari

Hi all,
I was wondering if anyone has spina bifida occulta and chiari malformation?  I have alot of pain and mostly discomfort in my lower back where I have the spina bifida.  Do you think that a neurosurgeon may consider a chiari malformation surgery and spina bifida surgery all-in-one, or could this be way to risky?
I know I am going out on a limb with this question, but I am looking forward to some input.
Have a great evening,
jessbee82

[selmaS]

Hi...I have TC, but not SBO.....and I do think it depends on where the second surgical site may be and what all is involved if a  NS would consider doing the 2 together...I do not have the info to even speculate.

I know there r some that have done a DDD repair in addition to a PFD.....

Mostly I think it depends on the dr, and what he feels u r up to...but, I am curious to know what u find out too...very good question.

"selma"

[n40066]

i don't know either, jess...but i would think that would be an awful lot for your body to handle at one time...i mean, both ends of your spine being worked on at the same time?  hmmmmm...i don't think i'd want to go thru that one at all.  i think the pain would be just too much to handle at one time.  BUT!  a dr. i am not!  lol  i know that another member that had her surgery the same day i had mine wanted to have the decompression and tc surgery the same day and he refused to do it.  don't really remember the reason why, though.  remember meg, selma?

[lu7997]

I don't know off hand Jess but I think two major surgeries at once would be too much. Not to mention the anesthisia time may be over the  safety.

I know the thought of two seperate is rough but post op would be too rough I would think.  

And I did find some connections between the two when I was researching but info on the web is so scattered some times and not all is reliable sources. But based on what they are I am guessing they would be close maybe cousins if not sisters. : ).  

Goodluck
~Angela~  

[ChiariWolf]

I've had both Jess. Frankly I understand wanting to get it over with. But..... together.... just my opinion but I can't see a responsible NS doing that. Both are very serious and can be tramatic to your body. The back being the most limiting post op coupled with chiari..... no way. You would be so miserable once you did get home it most likely would require inhome help for a time. Just my opinions.

[ChiariWolf]

PS- I should add that I was one of the fortunate ones. My spine was completely seperated at the pelvis however I can still walk other than a lot of pain and nerve related spikes... The only think the sb surgery did was prevent a permanent wheelchair.