Re: Scoliosis Surgery Complications

September 1, 2007

Yes. At least 4% will end up with some complication or infection post op.

We were told this by more than one surgeon. That is not always the fault of

the surgeon. I just has a daughter die of sepsis 1 1/2 years post op. She

presented with an infection of her spinal cord 1day post op and it was let

go for 8 months. She was treated three times in that 8 months for pneumonia

I knew all along the infection was in her spine. ANo one would believe me

until she began showing signs of nerve damage. Her incision healed up

beautifully and I think that is one of the reasons they refused to believe

the infection was in her spine. We finally got a consult 100 miles from our

home and the surgeon right away believed me and scheduled her for removal of

her hardware. We had to wait three weeks to get on the surgery schedule and

the day before surgery the bottom portion opened and began to drain. When

she was opened up there was infection in the spinal nerves, and around the

rods and in the holes the wires and screws were. It also was in her deep

tissues. She survived this only to have the infection remain dormant in the

deep tissues in spite of having been on IV antibiotics for several months

after the hardware removal. We were told that there was a good possibility

that if she were to have surgery it could kill her from sepsis. Well, she

caught the flu. We went to the doctor and labs were drawn on Thurs , no

sign of infection and by Fri she was sleeping a lot which I wasn't too

concerned about having the flu. By Fri evening she was in a coma and died

in the wee hours of Saturday am.

The surgeon who did the rod removal is one of the best in WI and just the

day prior to my daughters rod removal had another little girl died from

infection who he had done surgery on two days before. You see most of us

have staph on our skin and just by the very act of cutting into the skin can

get an infection. It is not always the fault of the surgeon. Amber was 17.

Virginia

-- Scoliosis Surgery Complications

I have been reviewing the malpractice files of some of

the surgeons I am considering doing my son's surgery.

While I am asking for your feedback, please understand

that I don't feel comfortable sharing the names of the

doctors I am referring to. I hope you all understand

and are not put off by that. It is public information

that you can get on your own if you need to.

One showed a 17 year old boy who died from 'an acute

episode of unknown origin related to the surgery'

following surgery for scoliosis and one showed a child

who had serious medical problems going into the

surgery winding up with partial paralysis.

This stuff is scaring me so!

I am vascillating between using a doctor who has done

less scoliosis surgeries (25 per year) and who has no

malpractice record and a surgeon who does many many

more per year but has had some alarming malpractice

cases.

Another one (the one with the partial paralysis) had

just that one case.

There are two more doctors I am waiting to get the

reports on.

Have you heard of people dying from this surgery or

winding up paralyzed?

Thanks for any feedback you can share.

__________________________________________________________

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to amazing places on Travel.

http://travel./

September 2, 2007

Virginia, my heart goes out to you. I am so sorry for

your loss. How did you know there was an one day post

op? What were her symptoms? I wish there was

something I could do or say for you. Is there

anything doctors or hospitals can do...precautions to

take to prevent these things from happening?

--- Virginia <angelcare1@...> wrote:

> Yes. At least 4% will end up with some complication

> or infection post op.

> We were told this by more than one surgeon. That is

> not always the fault of

> the surgeon. I just has a daughter die of sepsis 1

> 1/2 years post op. She

> presented with an infection of her spinal cord 1day

> post op and it was let

> go for 8 months. She was treated three times in

> that 8 months for pneumonia

> I knew all along the infection was in her spine.

> ANo one would believe me

> until she began showing signs of nerve damage. Her

> incision healed up

> beautifully and I think that is one of the reasons

> they refused to believe

> the infection was in her spine. We finally got a

> consult 100 miles from our

> home and the surgeon right away believed me and

> scheduled her for removal of

> her hardware. We had to wait three weeks to get on

> the surgery schedule and

> the day before surgery the bottom portion opened and

> began to drain. When

> she was opened up there was infection in the spinal

> nerves, and around the

> rods and in the holes the wires and screws were. It

> also was in her deep

> tissues. She survived this only to have the

> infection remain dormant in the

> deep tissues in spite of having been on IV

> antibiotics for several months

> after the hardware removal. We were told that there

> was a good possibility

> that if she were to have surgery it could kill her

> from sepsis. Well, she

> caught the flu. We went to the doctor and labs were

> drawn on Thurs , no

> sign of infection and by Fri she was sleeping a lot

> which I wasn't too

> concerned about having the flu. By Fri evening she

> was in a coma and died

> in the wee hours of Saturday am.

> The surgeon who did the rod removal is one of the

> best in WI and just the

> day prior to my daughters rod removal had another

> little girl died from

> infection who he had done surgery on two days

> before. You see most of us

> have staph on our skin and just by the very act of

> cutting into the skin can

> get an infection. It is not always the fault of the

> surgeon. Amber was 17.

> Virginia

>

> -- Scoliosis Surgery

> Complications

>

> I have been reviewing the malpractice files of some

> of

> the surgeons I am considering doing my son's

> surgery.

>

> While I am asking for your feedback, please

> understand

> that I don't feel comfortable sharing the names of

> the

> doctors I am referring to. I hope you all understand

> and are not put off by that. It is public

> information

> that you can get on your own if you need to.

>

> One showed a 17 year old boy who died from 'an acute

> episode of unknown origin related to the surgery'

> following surgery for scoliosis and one showed a

> child

> who had serious medical problems going into the

> surgery winding up with partial paralysis.

>

> This stuff is scaring me so!

>

> I am vascillating between using a doctor who has

> done

> less scoliosis surgeries (25 per year) and who has

> no

> malpractice record and a surgeon who does many many

> more per year but has had some alarming malpractice

> cases.

>

> Another one (the one with the partial paralysis) had

> just that one case.

>

> There are two more doctors I am waiting to get the

> reports on.

>

> Have you heard of people dying from this surgery or

> winding up paralyzed?

>

> Thanks for any feedback you can share.

>

__________________________________________________________

> Need a vacation? Get great deals

> to amazing places on Travel.

> http://travel./

>

> [Non-text portions of this message have been

> removed]

>

________________________________________________________________________________\

____

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September 2, 2007

Thank you so much. I knew there WAs an infection 1 day post op due to her

symptoms. I am a nurse. She was running a temp and posturing (arching)

like a person with spinal meningitis. . They were unable to control her

pain even with the epidural and she couldn't feel her feet at one time and

then at others they were overly sensitive.

Virginia

-- Scoliosis Surgery

> Complications

>

> I have been reviewing the malpractice files of some

> of

> the surgeons I am considering doing my son's

> surgery.

>

> While I am asking for your feedback, please

> understand

> that I don't feel comfortable sharing the names of

> the

> doctors I am referring to. I hope you all understand

> and are not put off by that. It is public

> information

> that you can get on your own if you need to.

>

> One showed a 17 year old boy who died from 'an acute

> episode of unknown origin related to the surgery'

> following surgery for scoliosis and one showed a

> child

> who had serious medical problems going into the

> surgery winding up with partial paralysis.

>

> This stuff is scaring me so!

>

> I am vascillating between using a doctor who has

> done

> less scoliosis surgeries (25 per year) and who has

> no

> malpractice record and a surgeon who does many many

> more per year but has had some alarming malpractice

> cases.

>

> Another one (the one with the partial paralysis) had

> just that one case.

>

> There are two more doctors I am waiting to get the

> reports on.

>

> Have you heard of people dying from this surgery or

> winding up paralyzed?

>

> Thanks for any feedback you can share.

>

__________________________________________________________

> Need a vacation? Get great deals

> to amazing places on Travel.

> http://travel./

>

> [Non-text portions of this message have been

> removed]

>

__________________________________________________________

Pinpoint customers who are looking for what you sell.

http://searchmarketing./

September 2, 2007

Gail,

I can understand why you are so scared. This is your child you are

concerned about taking care of, and rightfully so!

In my opinion I would go with the surgeon who has LOTS of experience.

Many, MANY scoliosis cases each year, even if he/she has a

complicaion resulting from their surgery. The better the doctor is,

the more surgeries the doctor does, and the more challenging cases

the doctor gets. If a person is more sick going into the surgery

(even if they don't know it) the more risk they have of complications

resulting from the surgery.

I would not want someone to do surgery on me, or my child who only

performed a few surgeries a year because they may not know the best

techniques, be rusty on techniques, and is probably not an " expert "

on scoliosis (being a back doctor does not give one the title of

scoliosis surgeon).

If you still don't feel comfortable with any of these surgeons, keep

looking for other doctors to do the surgery. Don't stop until you

feel that you have the best doctor for your son. (I am not a part of

this hospital and have not used it for myself. I have just heard

numerous good things about it). If you are near a Shriners childrens

hospital you might consider checking into their facilities. They are

an orthopedic hospital that is free to all patients (all money is

fundraised by the Shrine Men). As long as he is in their system by

age 18 they will treat him until he is 21.

Good luck.

>

> I have been reviewing the malpractice files of some of

> the surgeons I am considering doing my son's surgery.

>

> While I am asking for your feedback, please understand

> that I don't feel comfortable sharing the names of the

> doctors I am referring to. I hope you all understand

> and are not put off by that. It is public information

> that you can get on your own if you need to.

>

> One showed a 17 year old boy who died from 'an acute

> episode of unknown origin related to the surgery'

> following surgery for scoliosis and one showed a child

> who had serious medical problems going into the

> surgery winding up with partial paralysis.

>

> This stuff is scaring me so!

>

> I am vascillating between using a doctor who has done

> less scoliosis surgeries (25 per year) and who has no

> malpractice record and a surgeon who does many many

> more per year but has had some alarming malpractice

> cases.

>

> Another one (the one with the partial paralysis) had

> just that one case.

>

> There are two more doctors I am waiting to get the

> reports on.

>

> Have you heard of people dying from this surgery or

> winding up paralyzed?

>

> Thanks for any feedback you can share.

>

______________________________________________________________________

______________

> Need a vacation? Get great deals

> to amazing places on Travel.

> http://travel./

>

September 2, 2007

They didn't do anything to check for what you were

seeing? Could they have done blood work or something

for check for infection? You must be livid, aside

from your grief.

--- Virginia <angelcare1@...> wrote:

> Thank you so much. I knew there WAs an infection 1

> day post op due to her

> symptoms. I am a nurse. She was running a temp and

> posturing (arching)

> like a person with spinal meningitis. . They were

> unable to control her

> pain even with the epidural and she couldn't feel

> her feet at one time and

> then at others they were overly sensitive.

> Virginia

>

> -- Scoliosis Surgery

> > Complications

> >

> > I have been reviewing the malpractice files of

> some

> > of

> > the surgeons I am considering doing my son's

> > surgery.

> >

> > While I am asking for your feedback, please

> > understand

> > that I don't feel comfortable sharing the names of

>

> > the

> > doctors I am referring to. I hope you all

> understand

> > and are not put off by that. It is public

> > information

> > that you can get on your own if you need to.

> >

> > One showed a 17 year old boy who died from 'an

> acute

> > episode of unknown origin related to the surgery'

> > following surgery for scoliosis and one showed a

> > child

> > who had serious medical problems going into the

> > surgery winding up with partial paralysis.

> >

> > This stuff is scaring me so!

> >

> > I am vascillating between using a doctor who has

> > done

> > less scoliosis surgeries (25 per year) and who has

>

> > no

> > malpractice record and a surgeon who does many

> many

> > more per year but has had some alarming

> malpractice

> > cases.

> >

> > Another one (the one with the partial paralysis)

> had

> > just that one case.

> >

> > There are two more doctors I am waiting to get the

>

> > reports on.

> >

> > Have you heard of people dying from this surgery

> or

> > winding up paralyzed?

> >

> > Thanks for any feedback you can share.

> >

>

__________________________________________________________

>

> > Need a vacation? Get great deals

> > to amazing places on Travel.

> > http://travel./

> >

> > [Non-text portions of this message have been

> > removed]

> >

>

__________________________________________________________

>

> Pinpoint customers who are looking for what you

> sell.

> http://searchmarketing./

>

________________________________________________________________________________\

____

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September 3, 2007

Thanks so much . I thought if he was 18 at the

time he entered the Shriner system it was too late.

Do you know if Shriners in Philly is the better of all

the Shriners or that any Shriners hospital and their

doctors is equally as good?

--- luv2icesk8lots <luv2icesk8lots@...> wrote:

> Gail,

> I can understand why you are so scared. This is your

> child you are

> concerned about taking care of, and rightfully so!

> In my opinion I would go with the surgeon who has

> LOTS of experience.

> Many, MANY scoliosis cases each year, even if he/she

> has a

> complicaion resulting from their surgery. The better

> the doctor is,

> the more surgeries the doctor does, and the more

> challenging cases

> the doctor gets. If a person is more sick going into

> the surgery

> (even if they don't know it) the more risk they have

> of complications

> resulting from the surgery.

> I would not want someone to do surgery on me, or my

> child who only

> performed a few surgeries a year because they may

> not know the best

> techniques, be rusty on techniques, and is probably

> not an " expert "

> on scoliosis (being a back doctor does not give one

> the title of

> scoliosis surgeon).

> If you still don't feel comfortable with any of

> these surgeons, keep

> looking for other doctors to do the surgery. Don't

> stop until you

> feel that you have the best doctor for your son. (I

> am not a part of

> this hospital and have not used it for myself. I

> have just heard

> numerous good things about it). If you are near a

> Shriners childrens

> hospital you might consider checking into their

> facilities. They are

> an orthopedic hospital that is free to all patients

> (all money is

> fundraised by the Shrine Men). As long as he is in

> their system by

> age 18 they will treat him until he is 21.

> Good luck.

>

> >

> > I have been reviewing the malpractice files of

> some of

> > the surgeons I am considering doing my son's

> surgery.

> >

> > While I am asking for your feedback, please

> understand

> > that I don't feel comfortable sharing the names of

> the

> > doctors I am referring to. I hope you all

> understand

> > and are not put off by that. It is public

> information

> > that you can get on your own if you need to.

> >

> > One showed a 17 year old boy who died from 'an

> acute

> > episode of unknown origin related to the surgery'

> > following surgery for scoliosis and one showed a

> child

> > who had serious medical problems going into the

> > surgery winding up with partial paralysis.

> >

> > This stuff is scaring me so!

> >

> > I am vascillating between using a doctor who has

> done

> > less scoliosis surgeries (25 per year) and who has

> no

> > malpractice record and a surgeon who does many

> many

> > more per year but has had some alarming

> malpractice

> > cases.

> >

> > Another one (the one with the partial paralysis)

> had

> > just that one case.

> >

> > There are two more doctors I am waiting to get the

> > reports on.

> >

> > Have you heard of people dying from this surgery

> or

> > winding up paralyzed?

> >

> > Thanks for any feedback you can share.

> >

>

______________________________________________________________________

> ______________

> > Need a vacation? Get great deals

> > to amazing places on Travel.

> > http://travel./

> >

>

________________________________________________________________________________\

____

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September 3, 2007

I just checked the Shriners website again and it says

under 18 for eligibility. I am going to call them

anyway but I am thinking I will go with the original

Dr. as he is most experienced. I will talk with him

about my concerns at the next appointment.

--- luv2icesk8lots <luv2icesk8lots@...> wrote:

> Gail,

> I can understand why you are so scared. This is your

> child you are

> concerned about taking care of, and rightfully so!

> In my opinion I would go with the surgeon who has

> LOTS of experience.

> Many, MANY scoliosis cases each year, even if he/she

> has a

> complicaion resulting from their surgery. The better

> the doctor is,

> the more surgeries the doctor does, and the more

> challenging cases

> the doctor gets. If a person is more sick going into

> the surgery

> (even if they don't know it) the more risk they have

> of complications

> resulting from the surgery.

> I would not want someone to do surgery on me, or my

> child who only

> performed a few surgeries a year because they may

> not know the best

> techniques, be rusty on techniques, and is probably

> not an " expert "

> on scoliosis (being a back doctor does not give one

> the title of

> scoliosis surgeon).

> If you still don't feel comfortable with any of

> these surgeons, keep

> looking for other doctors to do the surgery. Don't

> stop until you

> feel that you have the best doctor for your son. (I

> am not a part of

> this hospital and have not used it for myself. I

> have just heard

> numerous good things about it). If you are near a

> Shriners childrens

> hospital you might consider checking into their

> facilities. They are

> an orthopedic hospital that is free to all patients

> (all money is

> fundraised by the Shrine Men). As long as he is in

> their system by

> age 18 they will treat him until he is 21.

> Good luck.

>

> >

> > I have been reviewing the malpractice files of

> some of

> > the surgeons I am considering doing my son's

> surgery.

> >

> > While I am asking for your feedback, please

> understand

> > that I don't feel comfortable sharing the names of

> the

> > doctors I am referring to. I hope you all

> understand

> > and are not put off by that. It is public

> information

> > that you can get on your own if you need to.

> >

> > One showed a 17 year old boy who died from 'an

> acute

> > episode of unknown origin related to the surgery'

> > following surgery for scoliosis and one showed a

> child

> > who had serious medical problems going into the

> > surgery winding up with partial paralysis.

> >

> > This stuff is scaring me so!

> >

> > I am vascillating between using a doctor who has

> done

> > less scoliosis surgeries (25 per year) and who has

> no

> > malpractice record and a surgeon who does many

> many

> > more per year but has had some alarming

> malpractice

> > cases.

> >

> > Another one (the one with the partial paralysis)

> had

> > just that one case.

> >

> > There are two more doctors I am waiting to get the

> > reports on.

> >

> > Have you heard of people dying from this surgery

> or

> > winding up paralyzed?

> >

> > Thanks for any feedback you can share.

> >

>

______________________________________________________________________

> ______________

> > Need a vacation? Get great deals

> > to amazing places on Travel.

> > http://travel./

> >

>

________________________________________________________________________________\

____

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today's economy) at Games.

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September 6, 2007

Dear Virginia,

I am so sorry to read your story and the terrible time your daughter had.

Thank you for being so gracious as to share it with us in hopes of helping

someone else- that is the real meaning of giving. God bless you. Bea

Virginia <angelcare1@...> wrote:

Yes. At least 4% will end up with some complication or infection post

op.