United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

Hello everyone,
We are back from our consultaions with Dr. Abbott and Dr. Kozin. Kalyn was a real trooper but we're glad to be back in our old routine. They both agreed that she has recovered enough so that she should not have a nerve graft, but Dr. Abbott thinks she may need Neurolysis surgery in the future. This surgery will release the nerve by taking off scar tissue. Dr. Kozin does not believe in this surgery at all. So, I was wondering if anyone out there has had this Neurolysis surgery and if they saw any improvement from it.
Thank you again for all your help!!!!
Tiffany

Zach had neurolysis surgery + grafting + Oberlin done @ 9mos at TCH. We saw results from the neurolysis surgery as he was coming out of anesthesia. No kidding. It's rare but it happens. Sometimes relieving the pressure caused by the scar tissue is what is needed to allow intact nerves to start functioning. We saw pictures from Zach's operation, and the neuroma was a big ugly thing. A few years later Zach had a tendon release, not a full Mod Quad, at TCH. All surgeries to date have really helped him.

Now Zach is 7 years old, Dr. Kozin's patient, and is 4+ weeks post-op for anterior capsule release and doing well. Our feeling is that TCH was the right place to be for what Zach needed as an infant, and now Shriner's is the place to be for what he needs as a bigger kid. Age, EMG results, and any spontaneous recovery all play a part.

Incidentally, I provided Kozin with Zach's surgical notes from TCH, and I don't recall any negative comment about the neurolysis having been done. He read the notes right in front of me. The only adverse comment related to the Oberlin. My thoughts on that are surgical protocols change, philosophies vary, what is considered state of the art now could be found to not have as much value in a few years, and that so much of the surgery available is still part of a big learning curve for all involved. 100 years from now, what we pride ourselves on being so hi-tech and cutting edge will appear barbaric.

Stacy