Has anyone had a transoral decompression done?

[Kstavrid]

I had my surgery in 2013 and I needed a fusion as well as the decompression because I have basillar invagination and chiari. I'm about 3 years post op and had an mri done that showed slight to moderate compression of my brainstem. I experience insomnia every night unless I take something to knock me out and the sleeplessness just ruins my day because I am unable to do anything. Has anybody had a transoral decompression for their chiari and basillar invagination because that is probably my next best option to relieve me of the sleeplessness. If you have had the transoral decompression done please let me know if it helped you at all. Thanks for the responses in advance.

[kgperry]

If you search on youtube, Dr. Brockmeyer did a presentation on Complex Chiari where hev talks about BI and other complications. In it he says that most surgeons don't do transoral anymore. I'm not a doctor, but that presentation might give you more info on that.

[Kstavrid]

Or any good Chiari specialists in the U.S. For that matter?

[Kstavrid]

I had a decompression and a fusion from occipital to c2. The tonsils are no longer compressed but the NS said that my brainstem is still being compressed by my odontoid bone. I am going to get an opinion on what to do about it at the mayfield clinic in Cincinnati. Does anyone know any good neurosurgeons there?

[selmaS]

  Hi,,,,I a  not aware of anyone posting about this,,,,
I know they will try different ways to enter depending on the areas they need to reach,...

So your first surgery failed?....and the BI was not corrected?

I am curious as to what all was done during your first surgery as we do have a few others with Chiari and BI so it may be helpful to them who are seeking out advice and a Dr.