Questions For A Surgeon

[EcclesCake]

If you are to undergo the knife for an operation for a condition that affects 2-8/1,000,000 in the UK per annum it is a fair bet you are not going to find many surgeons with experience in the procedure.

What is the protocol for such rare procedures, are they led by someone with experience and assisted by others for their education?

What questions should the patient ask of the surgeon, prior to the procedure?

[Sqad]

\\\\ operation for a condition that affects 2-8/1,000,000 in the UK per annum it is a fair bet you are not going to find many surgeons with experience in the procedure. \\\\\

A good point.

\\\\What is the protocol for such rare procedures, are they led by someone with experience and assisted by others for their education?\\\

I wish that you would be more specific concerning the operation that you have in mind, but certain "centres" are known for that particular operation and the surgeons in that centre have developed their expertise. Surgeons in training, interested in that type of surgery will be attracted to the surgeon and his "centre."

\\\What questions should the patient ask of the surgeon, prior to the procedure? \\\

A bit late at that stage, as presumably you will have been directed in that direction by medical professionals "in the know."

[EcclesCake]

Pheochromocytoma.

[jennyjoan]

don't think I am too worried about pelmets now - more pelvis LOL - no nothing to do with pelvis

[jennyjoan]

sorry wrong post

[Sqad]

Ah!....interesting.

I don't think that one would need a specialist unit for that tumour but your GP or the surgeon that you were referred to, would pas you on if there was an endocrine surgeon in your area that had particular experience or interest, in them.

[EcclesCake]

Thank you Sqad.

[Sqad]

Eccles...depending upon the expertise of your surgeon, the operation may well be done laparoscopically ( minimally invasive surgery)

[EcclesCake]

Laparoscopy is my first question.

Well second actually, after 'so, how many of these have you done?'.......

[Sqad]

LOL......would you believe him if he told you?

[EcclesCake]

I might believe the answer to that question. I might be a little more reluctant to believe the answer if 'successfully' was added to the original question ;-)

[Sqad]

What town, city or area are you in?

[EcclesCake]

I'm on the cusp of Hants/Surrey/Berks.

[Sqad]

A large area...............

http://www.endocrinesurgeon.co.uk/index.php/mr-john-lynn-endocrine-surgeon

[stuey]

I can picture that one, methyl: both the patient and the surgeon under sedation in the OR:)

[Peter Pedant]

yes of course she would ....

this condition is not that rare to be honest - the prevalence I had, was 1:100 000 and also occurs in children - 2-8 in a million a year is up to 240 cases a year - about one a day for one surgeon ...

Here is one of my colleagues writing about it in children:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11012949

The secret is in pre-op preparation -

yes there are specialists in this. I think it is OK to ask if he has done it before - the answer should be yes.

The main issue is that 5-10% are malignant and the CT for that - I think they still use MIGB - is specialised

[EcclesCake]

Thanks again Sqad.

Stuey, don't be cheeky!

[stuey]

Sorry, EcclesCake; I was just being a bit of a cut-up:)

[EcclesCake]

Well just behave or I'll find a rusty old scalpel to cut you up with if you continue to be cheeky ;-)

[Hymie]

Your question reminds me of an operation my step-father had many years ago.

The surgery was very risky with 3 out of 4 patients not making it. However the surgeon assured my step-father that everything would be OK.

My step-father, knowing the risks, asked how the surgeon could be so sure it would be OK.

Simple replied the surgeon, my last 3 patients died.