Can surgery do more harm than good for Chiari Malformation?

[Squigmire]

My sister has had several Neurological Surgeries here in New Brunswick Canada. I am not sure which type of Chiari she was diagnosed with, but it has been a nightmare for her. She was diagnosed 7 years ago, and was convinced her only option was surgery. She suffered with bad headaches daily, which were only getting worse..and about 2 years later she was diagnosed. I wouldn't call any of her surgeries a success. She only got worse with each procedure. She also had a Syrinx problem, which of course complicated her Chiari. Her surgery was performed at the base of her skull. With her 1st surgery, she was still able to walk somewhat, with a walker. But her overall quality of life went downhill. She has had 2 more Chiari surgeries, and a few drain shunts installation surgeries. None of these surgeries have helped her. She is now in the local hospital, and the New Brunswick surgeons have decided there is nothing more that can be done for her. She lays in the hospital, basically paralyzed and with a sleep apnea machine. She can no longer walk, wash or feed herself. She can talk, but it appears as if she suffered a stroke (for which the Dr.s will not confirm). I feel as though she never got the proper advice or the expert required to handle her Chiara Malformation disease. Have you heard of surgeons causing more harm than good, and I suppose we would never know if her surgeries were botched. In Canada it is near impossible to prove or find out if this was an issue. I am afraid that in her case, Chiara Malformation is killing her, because the Doctors have given up!! Help me with an understanding why? She is 54 years old and was diagnosed at 47; at that time she was working and fine except for the headaches. I am so distraught, I do not know where to turn. Thanks!!

[selmaS]

Hi and welcome to the Chiari forum.

It is possible for surgery to worsen the effects of this condition....(it's not a disease) ....Chiari can affect someone that also has other co-morbid conditions.....these are related to Chiari like Syringomyelia is (syrinx)...one in particular can affect the outcome of surgery of certain precautions are not taken so if she has  it and is not aware of it nor are her Drs then it is a possible reason for the surgery to not as been as successful had they known.
Surgery is not a fix or cure for this condition only a means to slow progression ....not all symptoms are relieved but some are lessened.
Sleep apnea is one related condition we ALL must be checked for.....

Do you know if Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome was ruled out?