Re: New Posterior Approach?

[Guest guest]

Could it be that someone might be talking about the initial scoliosis surgery as

opposed to revision surgery? Just a thought . . .

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > I am in New York and I am looking to have my surgery done end of

> May or

> > > > June. Has anyone had a good/bad experience with Dr. Errico and Dr.

> Schwab?

> > > > Dr. Errico says he operates together with Dr. Schwab. I was

> considering Dr.

> > > > Boachie, but he is out of network. I am a little concerned about

> the

> > > > difference in approach by these doctors. Dr. Boachie says he needs

> to

> > > > operate from the front and the back. Dr. Errico says that the

> surgery has

> > > > advanced so that operating from the back is sufficient. How can I

> decide

> > > > which approach is better?

> > > >

> > > > Pearl

> > > >

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I guess I refer to " Posterior only " approach as new , because I thought it was

relatively new at the time, 2 years ago. lol. Meaning, that I had never

heard of anyone having the posterior only approach then with people who needed

extensive revisions like many of us were getting. And my revision was to be

extensive as well. It seemed that was pretty standard for many of the " Feisties "

at the time.?

Namely, I was to get the whole nine yards so to speak. They were to take out the

H rod, and redo the entire spine, top to bottom. I needed new fusion, 2 new

rods, screws, etc, etc. My spine was a mess by the time they got to me. I

was told by the docs that I would definitely need a A/P revision surgery since

1980. I had 3 different opinions over the 8 years. Even Doc. Dryer and Errico

had planned on it as well. Then at the eleventh hour ( a few weeks prior) I

was told that they could do the whole entire revision surgery through my back,

all in one day. I was thrilled; and amazed. I didn't know that it was even a

possibility for me. Especially being that mine was such a complicated revision

as was the case of many others on this forum at the time. I had always heard

then that the best way to get the Sagittal imbalance corrected was to go

through the front and the back. I had pretty much accepted my fate when I agreed

to get the revision surgery. I was in shock and awe when they informed me that

they could get the whole menagerie done entirely though my back. I still

stand in amazement at this whole process.

And, They pulled it off. A 14 hour surgery, all in one day, and all

posterior. ? And yes, I guess I had referred to it as " somewhat new at the

time. " I hadn't heard of too many others who had the whole menagerie done

completely through the back. I was, and still am amazed that this was possible.

I know we are all different. But somehow they decided I was a candidate for

this particular approach relatively close to the surgery date. I remember

feeling somewhat relieved by it even though the whole thought of revision

surgery to me was absolutely mind boggling . But by the roll of the dice, a

little luck, a lot of prayers, and very good doctors. it worked out well for me.

At least as of now, ?? ..almost 3 years out from revision surgery. So far, so

good. But I still walk gingerly through life and hope that this surgery holds

through the next 3 or so decades I have left?? With scoliosis, nothing

seems to be " Fixed " for good, right? We all know that one all too well.

Carol

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > I am in New York and I am looking to have my surgery done end of

> May or

> > > > June. Has anyone had a good/bad experience with Dr. Errico and Dr.

> Schwab?

> > > > Dr. Errico says he operates together with Dr. Schwab. I was

> considering Dr.

> > > > Boachie, but he is out of network. I am a little concerned about

> the

> > > > difference in approach by these doctors. Dr. Boachie says he needs

> to

> > > > operate from the front and the back. Dr. Errico says that the

> surgery has

> > > > advanced so that operating from the back is sufficient. How can I

> decide

> > > > which approach is better?

> > > >

> > > > Pearl

> > > >

> > >

> >

>