Chiari surgery

[Masamiba]

I met yesterday with the NS, I have a very large syrinx. I need to have surgery but am very scared. Has anyone ever heard of Dr Bejanni at UPMC in Pittsburgh.

[selmaS]

  Hi yes, that is a posterior fossa decompression with a lamenectomy and a dura plasty....

Is the plate a  titanium mesh? Yes, this is the typical surgery to restore CSF flow...it is the obstruction of CSF that causes the syrinx to form....most times this surgery will allow the syrinx to shrink....

  Ask what the plate is made of, and what type of dura patch will be used....also make sure u r tested for related conditions like EDS...if u have it and wait until u r post op it could affect ur recovery as those with EDS  tend to have rejection issues with many of the patches ....it is best to have ur pericardium harvested and used for ur durapatch.....

   Titanium tends to work well for most even if they have EDS......

[Masamiba]

I have chiari and the large syrinx. Not sure what the surgery is called he is going to remove part of my skull, put in a patch, and a plate. Is this the decompression? He assured me he would not be entering into my brain or spinal cord just reducing the pressure and hopefully the syrinx will shrink or resolve then. Does this make any sense to u? The second he said surgery I think I froze :(

[selmaS]

  Hi and welcome to the Chiari forum.

Yes, I have heard of Dr Bejjani in Pittsburg, Pa....and heard him speak....

DO u just have a syrinx, or do u also have Chiari and a syrinx? What surgery  does he plan to do? A shunt or a stent or a posterior fossa decompression?