Seminar Wednesday 1/21/09 Manhattan Beach, CA

[mmglobal]

This was in the LA Times over the weekend. These are always intersting, but they are really sales events.

I'll be going... I want to presonally thank William Dillin... he was the first doctor to make me understand the randomness of failed fusion... his second opinion a week before my 2-level 360 fusion (scheduled August 2000), prompted me to cancel the fusion and seek other options.

He had told me that I stood a 50% chance of being sorry I did the surgery. I said, "That's BS! I'm young, I'm fit, I'm motivated, the rest of my spine is in good shape. The numbers you quote are across the board including HMO hacks who do 10 fusions a year, the same way they learned them decades ago. I'm going to a world class spine surgeon with great experience, new technology, etc.... All this works in my favor, right?"

He said something like, "yes... that all works in your favor, but it's still 50%!" He went on to explain the way fusions fail and how things like lack of fusion and growth of scar tissue are not predictable and don't just plague the poor cases. He explained how one person can grow massive amounts of scar tissue and never know it's there, while others can grow very small amounts and have it ruin thier lives. His was the best dose of reality right when I needed it. I credit him with saving me.

It's quite fitting that his topic is surgery decisions. See you Wednesday if you can make it!

Mark



Woops... edit to change location to Manhattan Beach

[Justin]

Let us know how things go!

[Tim]

Hi
That 50% figure is pretty scary for anyone who's only option is fusion.
I've never seen published figures as poor as that - If 50% is correct then were down to the flip of a coin. Most of the studies I've read seem to give long term outcomes (particularly for single level surgery) as pretty similar to ADR.
ADR may have the edge regarding adjacent level degeneration but I find it hard to accept that 50% of all fusion patients live to regret there decision.
ADR definitely is an important tool but it is not a panacea. Fusion techniques are being improved all the time. All back surgery is a crapshoot but if 50% is a true figure then that's pretty depressing for all of us with no other options..
Tim

[mmglobal]

I agree that 50% is not realistic... he was just trying to convey that it's not a slam dunk and being a good candidate does not, anywhere near, guarantee success.

[Maria]

That slammed dunked it to me via a 30 minute phone conversation before he ate his dinner at home advising me on poor outcomes with 3 level global fusions.

I had called around various spine surgeon offices back in 2001 when my OSS recommended a 3 level global fusion and Dr.Dillin was on his list of 3 surgeons for 2nd surgical opinion. Dr. Dillin's secretary took my information and I actually didn't expect a call back because it was probably close to 7p.m. when he called me back one evening.

Dr. Dillin very kindly took the time to talk to me and really just impressed upon me that outcomes with this degree of spine surgery weren't all that favorable tho he would be willing to see me in the office and would want to have the discogram at the hospital he was then affiliated with.

Ok ~ I am so glad this busy surgeon took the time to speak with me. I have since then always been thankful everytime I hear his name and that I made the decision not to have that magnitude of surgery 8 years ago. I've had some very decent pain relief with ESI and low dose pain meds in last 8 years and several years that were just awesome in terms of relief. Mark, if you get a chance, please thank him for me!

[Kathy]

that's depressing... especially for those of us that can't get insurance approval for adr and can't afford to pay for it.

[mmglobal]

Bumping up to top for our So. Cal spineys....

I just called and many seats available.