United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

Hello! I am new to the UBPN Message Boards! My 2 1/2 year old little girl has a LOBPI and we have met with Dr. Nath, who has recommended a Mod Quad, Triangle Tilt and possibly an Osteotomy. I am very scared and would like to speak with some patients of Dr. Nath about their experiences with these surgeries. Unfortunately, we have been given a lot of conflicting information from other doctors and therapists which have left me concerned and confused. Any veteran advice would be greatly appreciated!

I would trust anything Dr. Nath says. He knows what he is doing. I was also worried and skeptical at first but Michaelas surgeries went excellent. I know its hard to trust your precious darling to anyone especially after a BPI birth but he is the one to trust!

I noticed your note about Dr. Nath and thought I would respond.

Although many more surgeons across the country are treating and performing surgery on children that have suffered brachial plexus injuries there remain four that are the most well know, Dr. Nath, Dr. Kozin in Philadelphia, Dr. Waters in Boston and Dr. Grossman in New York/Miami. These four have had the most experience with surgery on children with brachial plexus injuries. Despite their experience they do not all have the same approach. Dr. Nath does the most surgery, and recommends surgery at the earliest age. Drs. Kozin, Waters and Grossman are more conservative. Drs. Kozin, Waters and Grossman are involved with more academic medicine and as you can imagine do not always approve of Dr.
Nath's approach. There is no definitive study available to judge the success of Nath's approach versus the others. The treatment of children with brachial plexus injuries has come a long way over the past 15-20 years. In the next few years Dr. Nath's early patients will be old enough to quantify his results.

In response to you message you will certainly hear from families that have used each of the doctors I mentioned. Of course, each family will have a sense of loyalty to the surgeon that did their surgery. This can all be very confusing. As my practice concentrates on children with brachial plexus injuries I have had experience with all of the doctors. I have met with and know each one personally.I believe I have a good line on their particular surgical strategies. If I go on and discuss these issues here, it will only invite back and forth responses that may not be helpful to you or productive.

Therefore, if you want more information I do invite you to contact me directly. I would be pleased to discuss my experience with each doctor.

Ken Levine
Klevine@Klevinelaw.com
617-566-2700
www.Klevinelaw.com

Dr Nath has performed four of Bradley's surgeries so far. With each surgery done, more functioned was regained. Bradley is now seven years old.

Hi there.

We are responding to your e-mail regaqrding Dr. Nath.

Our daughter is now 12. She has a very severe brachial plexus injury and she cannot yet use her hand at all. We first met Dr. Nath when Carly was 5 months old. We were so happy the meet someone so knowledgable and caring. Dr. Nath has been there every step of the way to guide us and provide support. Not only is his knowledge beyond anything imaginable, but his compassion and genuine care for the kids is remarkable. I remember one occasion where we had flown home from Houston after a surgery and had a concern about some swelling. We got a personal call from Dr. Nath immediately, probably sooner than we ever would have received from our own local pediatrician.

Surgery is always scary, but know that with Dr. Nath your child is in great hands. He would never do anything unnecessary and will do what he thinks is best for your child whether the answer is surgery or not.

Please call us directly any time. We are actually in Houston from San Diego for Carly's 12th surgery to have a muscle transfer that will hopefully give her some hand function.

Good luck with whatever your decision is.

Angela, Rick & Carly Messig
(619) 647-5466

My son has had four surgeries to date. Surgeries were performed by two doctors who have passed away, Dr. Nath, and Dr. Waters. I am eventually going to be taking my son to see Dr. Kozin. If you would like you may email me directly.

The two doctors who I was referring to were Dr. Shenaq and Dr. Laurent. Sorry I wasn't more clear. Dr. Nath and Dr. Waters are both great physicians and yes alive and well. Again I appologize. :0)


Message was edited by: nkjacoby

I'm not sure what Dr. Nath you are referring to who passed away, by the Brachial Plexus Dr. Nath from Houston is alive and well. We just saw him yesterday and he is assisting with our daughter's surgery tomorrow. Perhaps you have him confused with Dr. Shenaq, who yes, did pass away.

Dr. Waters is alive and well as well at Boston Children's Hospital.

I think if you reread the reply, they meant 2 other doctors who passed away AND Dr. Nath and Dr. Waters.

Hi! Welcome to the message boards! Believe me when I say that there isn't a parent on here who hasn't felt the same way you do and knows just how scared and protective you are feeling right now. Our son is 14 years old and has ROBPI...just had the triangle tilt done last January with Dr. Nath. We are just as scared & protective of him at 14 as we were when he was a baby. His range of motion has increased beyond belief since he had TT surgery. His biggest problem now is remembering that he CAN use it and re-training his brain to use his right side. Knowing what I know now, the sooner they can have this surgery, the better off they are later on. I have met the grandmother of one little girl who had this same surgery around 2 and she is now 6....you could not tell she has a BPI injury from the pictures. We have complete faith in Dr. Nath and he is definitely one of the leading experts in this field. You will hear many opinions on here, but from our own personal experience,we can't say enough good things about Dr. Nath. We had also been given alot of conflicting advice before our son had surgery and understand how confusing it can be. Please feel free to email me direct if you have any questions about the surgery or Dr. Nath. dtrusk@fairpoint.net

Donna