First Time Surgery Questions
Do you suggest any physical therapy or exercises leading up to the surgery?
Have you heard of Pneumex, and do you think it might be helpful to strengthen her muscles and increase flexibility prior to surgery?
Will you be testing her pulmonary function?
What should she be doing to improve her pulmonary function?
Do you recommend the patient donate her own blood? Can we (her parents) donate if we are a match?
Do you recommend preoperative rhEPO to reduce her chances of needing a transfusion?
Always ask the surgeon for his CV so you can check his details.
SURGERY
What approach do you think you will take (Anterior vs. Posterior)?
What levels do you think you will fuse? Why?
What happens to the disc below and above?
How much flexibility will she lose?
What degree of correction do you expect the patient will achieve?
How much height, if any can she expect to gain?
What instrumentation do you plan to use (Cotrel Dubosset (CD), Moss Miami (MM), etc.)? What material (stainless steel, titanium)? Why?
If you are suggesting stainless steel, should the patient be tested for a nickel allergy? We have a family history, and the patient has lots of allergies.
How long have you been using this particular technique?
Where do you think you will take the bone graft from? Do you think you’ll need to make an additional incision? How do you feel about using BMP-2?
Do you typically use Amicar to reduce blood loss?
Lidocaine for rapid neurological function?
What will you use to close her incisions? “Crazy Glue”
If your family are4 allergic to anything be sure to mention this as children could also be allergic to the same properties such as lead, get them tested and have this added to her file notes.
POST SURGERY:
Will you assign a doctor who specializes in pain management to work with the patient immediately following surgery?
What type of pain relief do you normally use after surgery? Do you ever use an epidural catheter instead of a PCA pump?
What is the average post-surgical weight loss?
Will the patient be braced after surgery?
What is the percentage of your adolescent patients who fail to fuse successfully?
Are there symptoms we should look for that will tell us the fusion has failed?
Will the patient need PT when she gets home? What type and for how long?
ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS FROM PATIENTS:
Do I get a handicap tag?
Are visitors allowed other than family?
Am I going to have to lie face down after surgery? How long?
How long after surgery will I be able to go swimming? Climb a tree?