Is this a new procedure??? Seems so much better than Translab

[kkweiher]

  Okayyyyyyyy so if my growth warrants removal I am definitely going to check this out!!!!!!!!!!!  Acoustic Neuroma: Surgerty, Treatment & Symptoms/Skull Base Institute  http://m.skullbaseinstitute.com/acoustic-neuroma/?  The Translab caused so many issues its not even a little amusing

[BudD61520]

I read up on that awhile back while researching options for my treatment. i think the main upside is relatively quick recovery time with fewer side effects. the downsides were 1) it's relatively new, if not experimental, and 2) IF a hemmorhage were to occur during surgery (and i have no idea of the likelihood of that), it would be difficult to remedy resulting in severe complications/potential death.

[arizonajack]

it's relatively new, if not experimental,

Not really. The Skull Based Institute may have only been using the technique for 5 year but others have used it longer.

"The first report of fully endoscopic resection of vestibular schwannoma was by Shainian and
coworkers in 2004 (Shahinian et al. 2004). Kabil and Shahinian in 2006 have presented 112
fully endoscopic procedures performed via 1.5 cm retrosigmoid craniotomy with excellent
results. 95% tumors were completely removed. Subtotal removal was performed in 5% of
patients in an attempt to preserve their hearing. Anatomical preservation of the facial nerve
was achieved in all patients and of the cochlear nerve in 82% of hearing ears. Some or
serviceable hearing was preserved in 58% of preoperative cases. There were no major
neurological complications (Kabil & Shahinian, 2006)."

Quoted from the following article:

http://cdn.intechopen.com/pdfs/24330/InTech-Minimally_invasive_endoscopic_and_endoscopy_assisted_microsurgery_of_vestibular_schwannoma.pdf

[BudD61520]

has anyone on this forum had the procedure done?

[areles]

has anyone on this forum had the procedure done?

if you search it, you can see posts as far back as 2012, if i recall.  though i don't recall if there were any personal accounts - there was a lot of HEARING of positive personal accounts, though.

[arizonajack]

Yes, very interesting. That Dr was a real piece of work. The plaintiff's were awarded almost a million dollars which I think wasn't enough by half.

That case supports my argument that doctors can be more dangerous than guns.

Number of physicians in the US:   700,000
Accidental deaths caused by physicians per year:   120,000
Accidental deaths per physician:   0.171

Number of gun owners in the US:   80,000,000
Accidental gun deaths per year (all age groups)   1,500
Accidental deaths per gun owner:   0.0000188

Statistically, doctors are approximately 9,000 times more dangerous than gun owners.

FACT: Not everyone has a gun, but everyone has at least one doctor.

[markandrew67]

I just read that case you posted Cityview, It is an interesting and somewhat chilling read. I was just checking this doctor out on his wikipedia and skull base institute webpage...how can someone like that still have a practice?? What he did was reprehensible and criminal- I thought one might lose a license after something like that?

Also makes me more thankful for the docs who haven't failed you.

[arizonajack]

how can someone like that still have a practice??

Good question.

On 2/4/13 the Executive Director of the CA Medical filed an Accusation/Petition to Revoke Dr Shahinian's license as a result of the Ralli affair. (License #A60898 Case #112010206785).

The complaint follows the lawsuit explanation and can be read at:

http://www2.mbc.ca.gov/BreezePDL/document.aspx?path=\DIDOCS\20130205\DMRAAAEC2\&did=AAAEC130205220745040.DID&licenseType=A&licenseNumber=60898#page=1

Now, 3 years later, the current status of that petition is:

"ACCUSATION FILED. THE PHYSICIAN HAS NOT HAD A HEARING OR BEEN FOUND GUILTY OF ANY CHARGES."

https://www.breeze.ca.gov/datamart/publicRecordDetailsCADCA.do?tableid=1502&lictyp=8002&licid=850771&licNumber=60898&rank=A&desc=Administrative%20Disciplinary%20Actions&recordid=14275071&from=/details&name=SHAHINIAN%2C+HRAYR+KARNIG&licTypeDesc=Physician+and+Surgeon+A

I wonder why the CA Medical Board has been sitting on this for 3 years without taking any action.

There's a lot more about this doctor on the internet. A while back he sued a hospital essentially for wrongful termination and retaliation and won over 4 million dollars. Prior to that he sued his attorney for malpractice and lost. There is also a mention that as many as 17 medical malpractice lawsuits have been filed against him in the past.

[BudD61520]

Are there other physicians using this technique successfully?

[PaulW]

Many surgeons use endoscopic tools, where they are appropriate for AN's
They don't make a song and dance about it and charge 3 times the amount..
Does making a 2.5cm hole or a 5cm hole in the skull really affect recovery, or is dramatically less invasive?
In normal surgery yes... Because you are cutting through layers of muscle..
Brain surgery.. Peel back the scalp and make a hole.... The only nerves are in the scalp, and there are no muscles..
At first glance it looks very attractive...... But is it really better?
Maybe it's just one big marketing ploy to charge people extra....

Does the Dr have a high affinity for money?
Read the court cases and draw your own conclusions.

[gedavis]

We  have been trying to determine this as well. I did see a Dr in Florida does this procedure and he does not seem to want the hype this one in LA is enjoying.  Dr Melvin Field....any insight from anyone on him?

[polaka12]

its more of a quarter hole he does. He left more in on me then a sliver due to hearing monitors saying I had hearing. I had no major issues with the surgery no hearing at all now. He wanted to do radiation now. So if you are ok with facing possible radiation that is his approach to remove remainder. I have regrowth and am having surgery at House next week. My tumor was 3.2 originally   Now it's at almost 2cm of February. First surgery was 3 years ago.

[gedavis]

Thank you for your answer, it helps to hear from others.