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  • Was your surgery..2 part, or just one

    Kootenaygal here. I've finally had my consult with my surgeon. I have scoliosis & Kyphosis...91 degree curve. I have seen other posts, when the patient has had 2 parts to their surgery. My surgeon said, my surgery would be done, once. The rods & screws would extend from my T-2 > L-3, with a osteotomy, & possibly a lumbar cage, no brace. Without this surgery, I will continue to collapse...end up in a wheel chair, & then of course, eventually problems with my vital organs. So I was just wondering, if anyone else has had two parts to their surgery, with a wait time between the surgery's .
    But sadly, there is a wait list...but he said, he's going to try to push it forward.
    I certainly hope so...praying. My ribs are sitting on my hips...so painful. I've even had 1 rib, go under the crest of my hip..3 months ago. Ambulance > Laughing Gas > ER...just from turning the wrong way suddenly. I have never felt such horrendous pain. I have to be so careful!

    I hope to see some replies when you have some time. Thanking you in advance!
    Kootenaygal

  • #2
    Hi Kootenagal, my surgery was done in one go. My curve wasn't as big as yours, it was 68 at time of surgery. Best of luck. Let us know how it all goes.
    Jen
    Surgery March 3, 2009 at almost 58, now 63.
    Dr. Askin, Brisbane, Australia
    T4-Pelvis, Posterior only
    Osteotomies and Laminectomies
    Was 68 degrees, now 22 and pain free

    Comment


    • #3
      There are lots of reasons why some patients have front and back surgeries, and some have just back. A small percentage of people just have front surgeries. If someone has front and back surgery, there are also lots of reasons why someone might have both surgeries on the same day, or have the surgeries staged, with as little as one day apart to as much as a year apart. My advice would be to not get hung up on what other patients have had.
      Never argue with an idiot. They always drag you down to their level, and then they beat you with experience. --Twain
      ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Surgery 2/10/93 A/P fusion T4-L3
      Surgery 1/20/11 A/P fusion L2-sacrum w/pelvic fixation

      Comment


      • #4
        My surgery was just one part, 9 hrs. Good luck to you, I hope you don't have too long a wait. The wait is the worst part--even worse than the recovery.
        __________________________________________
        Debbe - 50 yrs old

        Milwalkee Brace 1976 - 79
        Told by Dr. my curve would never progress

        Surgery 10/15/08 in NYC by Dr. Michael Neuwirth
        Pre-Surgury Thorasic: 66 degrees
        Pre-Surgery Lumbar: 66 degrees

        Post-Surgery Thorasic: 34 degrees
        Post-Surgery Lumbar: 22 degrees

        Comment


        • #5
          Hello,

          My surgeon always schedules two days for surgery, and then really hopes he doesn't need the second one. All surgeries he does start on Monday morning. Then if he needs a second day, it will be the Friday of that same week.

          My surgery was done in one day. He told me that some of the reasons for having to go into two days include losing too much blood, and other similar situations that bring risk for the patient. I don't remember the other specific examples of risks that would dictate using the second day.

          I hope you find relief soon. My curve was primarily lumbar, and my spine was also collapsing, but the curve wasn't as big. The last number I heard was something like 42 degrees. But I also had an issue when standing up off of the toilet where my spine would catch on something and then pop off -- with the pop off being both heard and felt. His nurse told me that it was probably my rib catching on my hip. It was not at all comfortable.

          Good luck,
          -- Mary
          -- Mary D. Taffet
          Lumbar curve 27 degrees in 07/2007 > 34 degrees in 03/2009 > 38 degrees in 02/2011 > 42 degrees in 09/2011
          Laminectomy L2-L5, Fusion T9-S1 (sacrum) with pelvic fixation 01/23/2012 w/ Dr. Richard Tallarico, Upstate Orthopedics, Syracuse, NY

          Comment


          • #6
            Another reason for a 2 day surgery is because you have a bigger risk of complications if you are under anesthesia for a very long time, so if there is a lot to do, then your surgeon may need 2 days. Like Linda said, you can't compare people because there are no 2 people on the blog with the same age, same exact curve, same medical history, same doctor...etc. Even when you compare 2 very similar people done a couple of years apart, the medical science of what is done and the techniques change. Susan
            Adult Onset Degen Scoliosis @65, 25* T & 36* L w/ 11.2 cm coronal balance; T kyphosis 90*; Sev disc degen T & L stenosis

            2013: T3- S1 Fusion w/ ALIF L4-S1/XLIF L2-4, PSF T4-S1 2 surgeries
            2014: Hernia @ ALIF repaired; Emergency screw removal SCI T4,5 sec to PJK
            2015: Rev Broken Bil T & L rods and no fusion: 2 revision surgeries; hardware P. Acnes infection
            2016: Ant/Lat Lumbar diskectomy w/ 4 cages + BMP + harvested bone
            2018: Removal L4,5 screw
            2021: Removal T1 screw & rod

            Comment


            • #7
              2 part surgery

              Hi Kootenaygal, I was wondering if you ever had your surgery? I just had 2 part surgery this past May 2012. Originally the surgeon thought he could do it all at one time but then he decided against that. A good thing too because the first surgery took 5 hours but the second surgery was 11 hours. He stopped the first surgery short because he said I lost more blood than he anticipated but he was able to set everything up and get all the screws in place.

              My surgery produced good results reducing my thoracic curve from 72 degrees to 25 degrees. I don't know the current degrees of my lumbar curve, previously it was about 45 degrees. I'm about 3 inches taller and stand much straighter than I ever have. I'm looking forward to the day when everything in my body settles down and I can resume my normal activities. Right now I'm still dependent on my adult daughter helping me out as I'm only 4 weeks post-op but all things considered I'm doing quite well.

              Hope to hear back from you to learn about your progress.
              Marjorie

              Surgery in 2 phases, May 17 & May 22, 2012
              Prior to surgery: Thoracic 75, Lumbar 45
              After surgery: Thoracic 27, Lumbar 28
              Surgeon: Dr. Nathan Lebwohl, Miami, FL

              Comment


              • #8
                This might be a dumb question – but how are the surgeons able to operate 8 – 11 hours nonstop? Don’t they need a lunch break, use a restroom etc? How does it work?
                I am stronger than scoliosis, and won't let it rule my life!
                45 years old - diagnosed at age 7
                A/P surgery on March 5/7, 2013 - UCSF

                Comment


                • #9
                  Originally posted by Irina View Post
                  This might be a dumb question – but how are the surgeons able to operate 8 – 11 hours nonstop? Don’t they need a lunch break, use a restroom etc? How does it work?
                  My surgery last July was 15 hours long and no Dr Bederman did not take a break. If he left the operating room, then he would have to be come sterile before he could go back into the OR. At his age , 38 years old, he has the ability to do long surgeries. He asked me if I wanted 1 or 2 surgeries and I wanted one surgery so he said OK
                  Melissa

                  Fused from C2 - sacrum 7/2011

                  April 21, 2020- another broken rod surgery

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Originally posted by Irina View Post
                    This might be a dumb question – but how are the surgeons able to operate 8 – 11 hours nonstop? Don’t they need a lunch break, use a restroom etc? How does it work?
                    They have a team of "residents" and "fellows" and surgical assistants that work together in the surgery. My doctor said that he does the main part of the surgery, like setting most of the main hardware with the assistance of the fellow MD [they are doctors that want to be spine specialists], sometimes an orthopedic resident MD, and the surgical assists. The other MDs may do less important parts without your doctor present, but like I said they work like a trained team. Your doctor would never leave if he did not have complete trust in the skill of the doctors that are continuing while he takes a break. Most doctors operate with a team that works together over a period of time, so they are very experienced working together. One part that my doctor deligates to probably the fellow is the closing of the surgery, the stitching up when he does leave the room.

                    Irina: Do not feel that there is a dumb question to ask here. We all have the same worries. Just thought of something that might be helpful for you. Take a friend to your appointments, come with a written list of questions, have your friend take notes, ask for a picture of your spine [that way you can show it to your friends and family who may not be supportive of your surgery, that usually convinces them], ask for written material, take lots of slow deep breaths....and know that you are not alone, that you have lots of friends here that are supportive.
                    Adult Onset Degen Scoliosis @65, 25* T & 36* L w/ 11.2 cm coronal balance; T kyphosis 90*; Sev disc degen T & L stenosis

                    2013: T3- S1 Fusion w/ ALIF L4-S1/XLIF L2-4, PSF T4-S1 2 surgeries
                    2014: Hernia @ ALIF repaired; Emergency screw removal SCI T4,5 sec to PJK
                    2015: Rev Broken Bil T & L rods and no fusion: 2 revision surgeries; hardware P. Acnes infection
                    2016: Ant/Lat Lumbar diskectomy w/ 4 cages + BMP + harvested bone
                    2018: Removal L4,5 screw
                    2021: Removal T1 screw & rod

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Originally posted by mabeckoff View Post
                      My surgery last July was 15 hours long and no Dr Bederman did not take a break. If he left the operating room, then he would have to be come sterile before he could go back into the OR. At his age , 38 years old, he has the ability to do long surgeries. He asked me if I wanted 1 or 2 surgeries and I wanted one surgery so he said OK
                      Again, I may sound like a little kid, but how is it possible for Dr. Bederman do not use a restroom for 15 hours? Did he wear a diaper? I am just really curious.
                      I am stronger than scoliosis, and won't let it rule my life!
                      45 years old - diagnosed at age 7
                      A/P surgery on March 5/7, 2013 - UCSF

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        There are usually some natural breaks during long surgeries. For example, if a plain xray needs to be taken, the surgeon will have enough time to scrub out and back in. There can also be a relatively long break if both front and back surgeries are being done in one stage. Some surgeons only do one side of the implants and let a fellow, resident, PA, or other surgeon do the other side. If that's the case, the surgeon would be able to scrub out if they wanted. If there are no natural breaks, the surgeon can just call for a time out.

                        --Linda
                        Never argue with an idiot. They always drag you down to their level, and then they beat you with experience. --Twain
                        ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                        Surgery 2/10/93 A/P fusion T4-L3
                        Surgery 1/20/11 A/P fusion L2-sacrum w/pelvic fixation

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Originally posted by LindaRacine View Post
                          There are usually some natural breaks during long surgeries. For example, if a plain xray needs to be taken, the surgeon will have enough time to scrub out and back in. There can also be a relatively long break if both front and back surgeries are being done in one stage. Some surgeons only do one side of the implants and let a fellow, resident, PA, or other surgeon do the other side. If that's the case, the surgeon would be able to scrub out if they wanted. If there are no natural breaks, the surgeon can just call for a time out.

                          --Linda
                          Having a resident or PA do implants would be a concern for me especially if the surgeon scrubs out at this time. I know they are all trained and a surgeon is confident in their skill etc, but still... That would be a good question to ask on consultations. Would a surgeon give a clear answer to a question like "What would be a resident/PA involvement in my surgery? What exactly would they do?".

                          How is it done in UCSF? Is there a surgeon who inserts implants in both sides and residents have minimal involvement?
                          I am stronger than scoliosis, and won't let it rule my life!
                          45 years old - diagnosed at age 7
                          A/P surgery on March 5/7, 2013 - UCSF

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Hi Irina...

                            To be honest, I don't really know. I'm sure it varies by surgeon, the skill of the assistant, and by complexity of the surgery. I think that most surgeons will tell you that they will do all of the important parts of the surgery. These can be really big surgeries, and I don't think it's reasonable to expect a single surgeon to do 100% of the procedures.

                            --Linda
                            Never argue with an idiot. They always drag you down to their level, and then they beat you with experience. --Twain
                            ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                            Surgery 2/10/93 A/P fusion T4-L3
                            Surgery 1/20/11 A/P fusion L2-sacrum w/pelvic fixation

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Originally posted by LindaRacine View Post
                              Hi Irina...

                              To be honest, I don't really know. I'm sure it varies by surgeon, the skill of the assistant, and by complexity of the surgery. I think that most surgeons will tell you that they will do all of the important parts of the surgery. These can be really big surgeries, and I don't think it's reasonable to expect a single surgeon to do 100% of the procedures.

                              --Linda
                              Irina: That's exactly what I asked my surgeon. See my post earlier. He does the setting of the major hardware w/ the fellow at Oregon Health Sciences University. The BIG parts of the surgery, he's there. Like I said, it's a team effort at all major institutions. Ask your surgeon how he handles it at his/her institution. Susan
                              Adult Onset Degen Scoliosis @65, 25* T & 36* L w/ 11.2 cm coronal balance; T kyphosis 90*; Sev disc degen T & L stenosis

                              2013: T3- S1 Fusion w/ ALIF L4-S1/XLIF L2-4, PSF T4-S1 2 surgeries
                              2014: Hernia @ ALIF repaired; Emergency screw removal SCI T4,5 sec to PJK
                              2015: Rev Broken Bil T & L rods and no fusion: 2 revision surgeries; hardware P. Acnes infection
                              2016: Ant/Lat Lumbar diskectomy w/ 4 cages + BMP + harvested bone
                              2018: Removal L4,5 screw
                              2021: Removal T1 screw & rod

                              Comment

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