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Neurology (Expert Forum)
Will surgury help?
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Will surgury help?
by Belle34, Jul 28, 2002 12:00AM
I have a 9yr old daughter who was born with spina bifida. She has had every surgury that you can name for her condition. I often wonder if in agreeing to some of her surgury am I looking for a miricle cure. Anyway, She has had a number of shunt revisions, chiari II decompression, Untethering of spinal cord,and other ortho surguries. She is now undergoing these series of surguries again due to some fluid build up on the spine which is causing her to loose strength in both hands. On 06/03/02 she had two shunt revisions which didn't help. On 07/22/02 she had decompression surgury. Dr. said she had a lot of scaring from the previous surgury(decommpression done 10/00) and believes it will develope again so he wants to move on to the third surgury in the series which is to change the shunt in her chest. I asked him what would happen if we chose not to have this surgurey, He says that her hands would continue to deteriorate. He wants to do surgury again on 08/16/02.My concern is whether or not any of this is going to help her.What are the chances that it will or won't ? Are there any other options besides these guessing surguries? She use to be a very lively and independent child. but it seems as thought her spirit is beeing broken due to the lack of use of her hands. I really want to due whats best for her. Should I get a second opinion or is this the only way?
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-Neuro-M.D.-JT, Jul 30, 2002 12:00AM
Your daugther's case is very complicated and your concern about the need for multiple surgeries is understandable and appropriate. As I have not personally examined her or reviewed her case and imaging studies, I cannot acccurately comment on what here chances with surgery will be. What I can tell you is that you should get a second opinion by a pediatric neurosurgeon at a major children's hospital, especially because it is so complex. If you are in the area, Dr. Mark Luciano is an excellent pediatric surgeon here who would be happy to see your child. Best of luck to you and your daughter.
