How experienced should surgeon be?

[Mojo's Mom]

Okay, how many surgeries, minimum, should my surgeon do per year for me to feel comfortable with his experience level? I'm talking about adult, big curve surgeries here.

[LindaRacine]

Hi...

Optimally, the more the better. I guess I'd want my surgeon to be doing at least 1-2 adult long-fusion surgeries per month. With that said, I'm not sure all surgeons will tell you the truth. (I've seen people post outrageous numbers for surgeons I've never heard of.)

--Linda

[Mojo's Mom]

Thanks, Linda, that's exactly what my present surgeon, who won't be doing my surgery, told me. Actually he said maybe 20 to 30 per year. I didn't figure that were all that many potential candidates, really; patients, I mean. We are a pretty small club.

[Confusedmom]

I think 25 per year is the minimum for inclusion in the Scoliosis Research Society. But I actually feel much more comfortable with the people who do closer to 100 ADULT (think major cities).

Evelyn

[Pooka1]

SRS Requirements

http://www.srs.org/professionals/join/

Active Fellowship is limited to orthopaedic surgeons, neurosurgeons and to non-physician members of allied specialties. They must have made a significant contribution to spinal problems, and must have a practice which includes at least 20% spinal deformity. They must have successfully completed a five-year Candidate Fellowship in the society. Only Active Fellows may vote and hold elected offices within the Society. Active Fellowship requirements include:

* Annual Morbidity & Mortality submissions.
* Meeting attendance, 1 meeting every 3 consecutive years and 1 SRS Annual Meeting at least every five years.

As has been pointed out, it is ALL spinal deformities, not just scoliosis. So I guess you can be an active SRS fellow and have done ZERO scoliosis fusions.

Another issue is they seem to have at least two types of fellows, surgical and research, where only the surgical have to submit case histories. But they are both "fellows" so apparently we can have active SRS fellows who might be research who haven't done a single fusion.

Now look at the requirements for Candidate fellow:

Candidate Fellowship is open to orthopaedic surgeons, neurosurgeons and to non-physician members of allied specialties (such as research scientists). Candidate Fellows stay in this category for five years, during which time they must meet their membership requirements and demonstrate their interest in spinal deformity and in the goals of the Scoliosis Research Society. When you are admitted to Candidate Fellowship you agree to:

* Submit yearly on-line Morbidity & Mortality reports (for Surgeon Candidates).
* Submit at least 2 abstracts on different topics to an SRS Annual Meeting or International Meeting on Advanced Spine Techniques (IMAST) Meeting during your 5-year Candidacy.
* Attend at least 2 SRS Annual or IMAST Meetings (one must be a SRS Annual Meeting) during your 5-year Candidacy.
* Review, sign and submit your Annual Requirement Report which shows your completed Morbidity & Mortality submissions (if a Surgical Candidate), abstract submissions, and meeting attendance. Your individualized report is mailed to you by the SRS office annually.
* For Surgeon Candidates - Submit a complete case list (non-operative and operative) for the fifth year of your Candidacy with your Active Application.
* For Scientific Candidates - Publish at least one paper on scoliosis or related spinal deformities in a peer-reviewed and Medline-indexed journal during the five-year Candidate Fellowship.
* Those who complete all requirements are eligible and required to apply for Active Fellowship in the Society at the end of the five-year Candidate period.
* Failure to complete these requirements during the 5 year period may require reapplication to Candidate Fellowship.

Note that IMAST is included and not just SRS. That seems to open the door completely to a person being an SRS active fellow without addressing scoliosis AT ALL.

Someone dope-slap me if I have this wrong.

And last, I can report that we found our non-SRS surgeon by being referred to him by an SRS surgeon. We had two excellent results and fast recoveries. For what it is worth.

[Vali]

I chose my surgeon after doing research on him after i had been referred to him by my Neuro for an opinion. I had another surgeon in mind, but Dr H was recommended to me by my Neuro who was managing my pain at the time. I stuck with him because he does practically one fusion a week (Mondays) and other spinal surgery on Thursday. He has written several papers, books and contributes to publications such as the European Spine Journal and also is a Lecturer at our University of Medicine and is a Fellow. The other important factors for me, were that he specialised in Spinal Deformity, Degenerative disorders, tumours and Adult Scoliosis. I was also able to speak to a previous patient of his and she spoke very highly of him.

[LindaRacine]

http://www.srs.org/professionals/join/



As has been pointed out, it is ALL spinal deformities, not just scoliosis. So I guess you can be an active SRS fellow and have done ZERO scoliosis fusions.

Another issue is they seem to have at least two types of fellows, surgical and research, where only the surgical have to submit case histories. But they are both "fellows" so apparently we can have active SRS fellows who might be research who haven't done a single fusion.

Now look at the requirements for Candidate fellow:



Note that IMAST is included and not just SRS. That seems to open the door completely to a person being an SRS active fellow without addressing scoliosis AT ALL.

Someone dope-slap me if I have this wrong.

And last, I can report that we found our non-SRS surgeon by being referred to him by an SRS surgeon. We had two excellent results and fast recoveries. For what it is worth.

Hi Sharon...

The SRS allows membership for researchers, but the vast majority (probably all) of them aren't MDs. For example, Carol Wise, who is one of the researchers who has been working on the genetics issue for a long time, is a member. They also have a lot of members who are nurses or physician's assistants. They all make their contributions to the field in their own way.

Being used as a referral network was never a goal of the SRS. And, as far as I know, no one ever used the membership that way until I started going to SRS meetings in the 90's and then using the membership directory (which is included in the program each year) to help people find doctor's in their area.

Regards,
Linda

[heartland]

well of course I go to a pediatric hospital but mine said around 2-3 a month
with the exception of a few emergency surgeries

but my other ortho I used to go to I did not like and she said around 4-5 a month and I didn't believe her and she seems way to fake anyway

[Mojo's Mom]

Thanks again, everybody...when I asked how many per year, I wasn't asking about any type of fusion, or any type of scoliosis surgery. What I specified was how many adult surgeries for major deformities. That was the question that my spine specialist answered at 20 to 30 per year. And while we're at it, I HATE the word "deformity", even though I look the part and know it. It just always makes me feel like a freak.

[lray]

And while we're at it, I HATE the word "deformity", even though I look the part and know it. It just always makes me feel like a freak.

That goes for me too.

[kennedy]

Laurie and stephanie that goes for me too