Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

Posterior Only VCR vs. Traditional Anterior/Posterior

Collapse
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

  • Posterior Only VCR vs. Traditional Anterior/Posterior

    I’ve been reading about posterior only VCR and the main point that I gathered is that this procedure allows to stabilize severe curves in only one posterior surgery instead of traditional anterior and posterior surgeries. It looks like posterior only VCR is a fairly new technique and I wonder how much research is done about it. I am hoping to hear from people familiar with it about pros and cons of both methods.
    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

  • #2
    Hi Irina...

    It's not a new procedure (it's been done since the late 80's I think), although it was really only done by the top revision specialists until fairly recently.

    'll tell you what I always tell people who are trying to figure out which procedure is best. I don't think any of us can judge whether one procedure is better than another. Doing so will probably lead you down a path that is more detrimental than helpful. My recommendation is to find a surgeon with whom you're comfortable, then let them decide what procedure to do.

    Regards,
    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


    • #3
      Originally posted by LindaRacine View Post
      Hi Irina...

      It's not a new procedure (it's been done since the late 80's I think), although it was really only done by the top revision specialists until fairly recently.

      'll tell you what I always tell people who are trying to figure out which procedure is best. I don't think any of us can judge whether one procedure is better than another. Doing so will probably lead you down a path that is more detrimental than helpful. My recommendation is to find a surgeon with whom you're comfortable, then let them decide what procedure to do.

      Regards,
      Linda
      Linda,

      You're right as always. I probably need a vacation from scoliosis research :-)
      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


      • #4
        Linda expressed my opinion exactly. The decisions about approach, #s of vertebrae to do, how to do it, #s of screws, etc are one that require phenomenal experience and education. Sometimes all of the decisions can not be made until surgery when the surgeon sees what everything REALLY looks like. Many people on the blog have stated that when they had their surgery, the surgeon before the surgery said that everything could be accomplished posteriorly, then when in surgery, it was obvious that a 2 day surgery was needed, so the woman didn't know it until she woke up.

        It might seem that just viewing xrays could exactly predict the surgical plan. Each of us are individuals and things don't always go exactly as planned. That's why you want to go with a surgeon with LOTS of experience.

        Also, surgery should not go on past a certain number of hours...I don't remember the number of hours, but it is something like 10 hours. After that problems with being under anesthesia increase a lot. Surgeons try to do everything in one day if possible.

        So, I support finding a surgeon that you trust with your life and allowing the surgeon to perform her magic. It doesn't mean that you can't ask questions.

        I keep a 3 ring notebook with all my scoliosis info, including suggestions from people that have had surgery. Someone said, "When you make the decision to have surgery, let go of the 'what ifs' ". Same goes for having chosen and feeling comfortable with a surgeon, just trust and relax. You are in excellent hands. The details will work themselves out without you. Just relax now and get mentally relaxed so that you are at peace when you have your surgery. You have done your homework....the rest is in your surgeons hands.

        Hugs, Susan
        Last edited by susancook; 08-08-2012, 02:23 PM.
        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

        Working...
        X