RE: Surgical appointment Thursday

[Guest guest]

Wow I even messed up " Thursday " LOL

This is the foam: http://www.pfizer.com/files/products/uspi_gelfoam_sponge.pdf

Tisseel http://www.advancingbiosurgery.com/us/products/tisseel/index.html

Subject: RE: Surgical appointment Thuesday

To: tetheredspinalcord

Date: Monday, October 25, 2010, 2:25 PM

Not sure -- here is some info from my operative report regarding closure

of the wound after the filum was " cut " :

" The wound was then irrigated and closed using running suture of 4-0 Nurolon for

the dura.  We placed Tisseel over the closure, followed by Gelfoam and more

Tisseel, then a watertight closure of #1 Vicryl for the muscle and fascia, 2-0

for the subcutaneous tissue, and a running interlocking of 3-0 Prolene for the

skin " .

All another language to me!  With a filum detether the likelihood of retether

due to scar tissue is lower than with a lipoma tether -- maybe because the filum

usually retracts up the dura once it's cut, so perhaps the filum ends up being

further up than where the scar tissue is most likely to form?  I am just

guessing on this reasoning.

Dee

To: tetheredspinalcord

From: stvtm@...

Date: Mon, 25 Oct 2010 18:07:49 +0000

Subject: Re: Surgical appointment Thuesday

 

I would also ask about scar tissue formation from cutting the dura and if he

uses any special material or technique to close the dura so that scar tissue

will not end up causing pressure on nerves and more problems, etc.

Dee: it sounds like you had a good recovery and no problems with scar tissue. Do

you know if your surgeon did anything special to prevent this? I have read

something about leaving extra room for scar tissue when closing the dura opening

or different materials, mesh etc? Do you know anything about this or what was

used for your surgery.

Thanks,

>

>

> Hi -- I think you are going in for a consult for a filum detether

right? That is the surgery I had, but here in Canada. Questions I would ask:

>

> - what are the risks (eg, bleeding, infection, nerve damage, spinal leak -- I

suspect these will all be low - although I had a spinal leak).

> - what are the chances of surgery helping me, as opposed to having more

problems afterwards -- and what are the chances of me deteriorating if I don't

have the surgery (I wish I'd been told this when opted not to do the surgery

right away).

> - How long will you be in hospital, how long will you have to lie flat

> - Where will he be going in (eg sacrum, or other area in spine)

> - how long will the suregery be/recovery

> - what is the chance of retethering

> - if you need to travel to get home ask about that. I travelled by car/ferry 4

hours and it was a long trip.

>

> I personally took a long time to heal from this surgery but am glad I did it

-- have hardly any aching in my legs now.

>

> Good luck and write your answers down so you don't forget to ask anything!

>

> Dee

>

>

>

>

> To: tetheredspinalcord

> From: lilacs007@...

> Date: Mon, 25 Oct 2010 09:41:28 -0700

> Subject: Surgical appointment Thuesday

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> Hope everyone had a great weekend...

> I am going in for my surgical consult with Dr Frim this Thursday.

> I was wondering what type of questions to ask... what is important to know?

> Thank you!

>

>