Dr. Kozin
Dr. Kozin
I am interested in knowing what anyone's experience has been with Dr. Kozin in regards to secondary surgery evaluation. I have gotten the impression that he is more conservative with surgical intervention. My son has a ROBPI, and we are seriously considering surgery if that is what's best at this time. I want to find out where Dr. Kozin stands in relation to other BP specialists in the field. Any info would help.
Re: Dr. Kozin
Dr. Kozin considers the potential losses of function from secondary surgery with great concern. If you want to call that conservative, then yes, he is conservative. But he will not hesitate to recommend a very agressive surgery IF he feels the potential gains clearly outweigh the losses.
I really would avoid the labels "conservative" and "aggressive". Someone might be conservative because they lack knowledge of any of the more aggressive approaches, or they might be conservative because they just haven't seen those approaches pay off very well at all. You should be looking for someone who is totally up-to-date in the potential surgeries in his/her field (which I believe Dr. Kozin is), and then you need to meet with that surgeon and find out how much of a gambler he/she is. EVERY surgery is a gamble (choosing no surgery also) and choosing a surgeon comes down to who you want gambling with YOUR child's arm and health.
Kate
I really would avoid the labels "conservative" and "aggressive". Someone might be conservative because they lack knowledge of any of the more aggressive approaches, or they might be conservative because they just haven't seen those approaches pay off very well at all. You should be looking for someone who is totally up-to-date in the potential surgeries in his/her field (which I believe Dr. Kozin is), and then you need to meet with that surgeon and find out how much of a gambler he/she is. EVERY surgery is a gamble (choosing no surgery also) and choosing a surgeon comes down to who you want gambling with YOUR child's arm and health.
Kate
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Tanner's Mom
- Posts: 288
- Joined: Sun Oct 03, 2004 12:29 pm
Re: Dr. Kozin
Kate summed it up better than I could have and I think she brought up some very important points. After seeing many speciailists, some labeled conservative and others aggressive, we decided to go with Dr. Kozin for our son's surgery.
I know it is all so very hard and overwhelming at times. Making these types of decisions for our children is a very big responsibility and can just tear your heart in two as you try to sort through it all. Hang in there, keep up with your research and questions and you will make the best decision you can.
Good luck to you,
Lisa
I know it is all so very hard and overwhelming at times. Making these types of decisions for our children is a very big responsibility and can just tear your heart in two as you try to sort through it all. Hang in there, keep up with your research and questions and you will make the best decision you can.
Good luck to you,
Lisa
Re: Dr. Kozin
I agree with Lisa and Kate. But I want to add this: take your time choosing your surgery and surgeon. Almost all of the secondary surgeries have don't have the "time" aspect that primary surgery does. ACR is done mostly before a certain age, but you still have time to do research. You shouldn't feel pressured to do one thing or another. The really good surgeons respect your desire to learn about the injury and do research on the surgeries.
claudia
claudia
Re: Dr. Kozin
We experienced the "conservative" side of Dr. Kozin. What I mean by that is his (second) opinion of the benefits vs. risks of a third surgery on my daughter were not good enough to consider performing surgery. Dr. Waters, the referring Dr., agreed and we decided to go with their opinion. To echo Claudia, most second or third surgeries for this injury are not time-sensitive. Don't rush into anything. If you are concerned about an opinion, get another one. And go with your gut. If you don't "feel" that it is the right time, then wait. You have less to lose by waiting, than by rushing in.
Amy
Amy
Re: Dr. Kozin
By the way, we eventually did choose to have the surgery done. At that point, all parties involved agreed that it was the right time, and we felt much better about proceding with the surgery.
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Cole's Mommy
- Posts: 95
- Joined: Sat Dec 15, 2007 2:48 pm
Re: Dr. Kozin
When Cole was only 5 1/2 months old a more "aggressive" surgeon wanted to do the muscle transfer (for flexion) and at that time, also suggested the next surgery (bone) a year later. (So that both were done before he was 2)I just wasn't ready for that. I was so relieved to have the time to breathe and research because the timeliness of 2ndary surgeries is not as crucial as with the primary. Well, needless to say, we are so blessed that Cole's flexion has improved greatly. I know that as a parent, it is so hard to make these decisions. We just have to believe that what we decide is best for our child.
Now,(not initially) we also see Dr. Kozin. I am so thankful for him. He has always answered all of my questions (even when I email him at all times of the day)Gains vs losses... that is huge in my decision making process. Best wishes!
Nicole
Now,(not initially) we also see Dr. Kozin. I am so thankful for him. He has always answered all of my questions (even when I email him at all times of the day)Gains vs losses... that is huge in my decision making process. Best wishes!
Nicole
Re: Dr. Kozin
Just to add to what Amy said: we had one very aggressive surgery with Dr. Kozin (ACR, by itself without tendon transfers, at 13 months old) and now, we, too are experiencing Dr. Kozin's "conservative" side. Joshua does not have full function of his arm (abduction/elevation is still limited too 100 degrees or so and he also has some internal rotation limitations) but Dr. Kozin still feels that the potential trade-offs are not favorable for another surgery. So we watch and wait and hope that someone develops something new, that doesn't have those nasty tradeoffs, before we do anymore surgeries.
Kate
Kate