ANA Discussion Forum
General Category => Inquiries => Topic started by: firewalker on December 23, 2007, 07:32:28 pm
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Hi everyone~
I'll be having a titanium mesh plate screwed to my skull after my translab at House Clinic with Dr. Brackmann in January and was wondering if anyone can tell me their experience about any side affects they've had with having one.
Thanks to all who reply and Happy Holidays!
~Firewalker
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hi firewalker: I have the titanium mesh plate, along with packing in there - no problems with it. I wouldn't even know it's there if I wasn't told.
Happy Holidays & best wishes for a successful surgery. Nancy
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Hi Firewalker,
I also have the titanium mesh. Like Nancy, I wouldn't even know it's there if they hadn't told me they would be using it.
Happy Holidays,
Jean
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Hi, firewalker:
I raised my hand when you asked who has the titanium mesh insert. then I realized you couldn't see me, so I thought I would add this post to the growing list. :)
I did feel some 'tightening' on my skull as it healed, presumably around the titanium plate, and that was annoying, but passed. The area where the plate is remains a bit less sensitive to the touch than the rest of my head, but that is insignificant to me. For the past six months or so, I've had absolutely no indications of the plate being there, and I've had several MRI scans since it was installed, as it were. In my experience, the titanium mesh plate is pretty much invisible and probably substantially cuts down on post-op CSF leaks. Based on my experience, I wouldn't be concerned about having it put in.
Jim
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Nancy, Jean & Jim-
I couldn't ask for anything more than what I get from this forum! You all are awesome and thanks for your feedback!!! I've heard stories that the plate is cold in winter (I live in Wisconsin so that might be a problem!) and that it caused headaches, so it's good to hear what you all have to say about it. Just thought maybe someone had picked up an alien signal or something with it. I will find out soon enough~
~Firewalker
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Firewalker,
I live north of you in the UP of Michigan. I've had no negative effects on the titanium mesh from the cold. Good luck with your surgery.
Jean
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Hmm..How would I know if I had a titanium MESH plate? I was told I have 3 titanium plates and 6 screws...is that different than the mesh?
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Hey Kristin,
Dr Brackmann said he's been doing the titanium mesh plate cranioplasty on all of his translabs patients for at least the last 5 years, so I'm guessing that's what you have. Do you have any side affects from your plates?
~Firewalker
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The mesh is just that -- ever patch a screen on a window so the bugs dont get in?? ..
its a mesh to put over the openning to get it extra strength (since it was drilled open) while it heals ...
guys.. ever patch bondo over and old car to fix a hole? we put in a screen and bondo over it ...(they call it bone cement) only the Dr's dont sand down our head to a nice smooth shine.... ;)
and I dont think you will ever have to worry about it because of the cold.
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Firewalker -
I have a titanium plate and screws in my skull and haven't had any side effects whatsoever. I don't know many who have had problems.
I live outside of Chicago and so far I've had no pain or headaches related to cold weather.
Jan
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I have about a 3 inch long 1/2 inch deep scar behind my ear and have no idea what my Dr used to fill the hole. I had two CSF leak surgeries in that incision so maybe he didn't use anything to plug the hole. I thought he used something but I can't remember. In any event, I have no issues with my scar now, I forget I have it most of the time until I put my hand behind my ear and then I feel this big ole canal in my head..... :D
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Hey Kristin,
Dr Brackmann said he's been doing the titanium mesh plate cranioplasty on all of his translabs patients for at least the last 5 years, so I'm guessing that's what you have. Do you have any side affects from your plates?
~Firewalker
But I had Middle Fossa...not translab...does that make a difference?
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Kristin: I'm not 100% certain that Dr Brackmann used titanium mesh plates to reconstruct your middle fossa, but am guessing that he probably did because you had your surgery in 2005. The next time I talk to him, I'll try to remember to ask him if he uses that for middle fossa as well and will let you know :)
Jan: Thanks a bunch for your feedback! You know how much it's appreciated. Glad to hear you're not having negative side affects especially living in a cold climate. That's a big relief!
Joef: As you said, titanium mesh plate cranioplasty IS reported to considerably cut back on CSF leaks and is also recommended for cosmetic purposes to reconstruct the drilled-out skull area. That's why I specifically asked Dr Brackmann if he uses it for cranioplasty because I had both of those concerns. Thank you for clarifying the process for us. It makes sense to me~
Cheers to a happy, healthy New Year!
~Firewalker
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My surgery was done at Jefferson and I had the titanium mesh. No problems, but I did have a csf leak. It wasn't leaking from the incision site tho, and the plug was done through a separate in my mastoid bone behind the ear. The leak was found through a drip from my nose. As far as the mesh making your head cold, I haven't noticed a difference. Good luck with your surgery!
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Static,
Thanks for your feedback! I'm sorry to hear about your CSF leak especially because it looks like you had it for 4 months before having it repaired. Did you have it from the time you left the hospital or did it start sometime after you left?
~Firewalker
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I had middle fossa surgery with Dr Brackmann in November of 2005. The skull piece that was cut out was put back in place and secured with three "mini plates" and six screws. The "plates" are not really plates. They are a thin cross bar that is placed across the edge of the skull piece and fastened with a screw on each end. I was getting very sore where the plates and screws were attached. I had the plates and screws removed this summer at the Mayo Clinic Jacksonville. I consulted Dr Brackmann prior to having them removed and he told me he wasn't sure it would help with the discomfort but it certainly would not make things worse. I am happy to report that it has made a difference. It is unusual, however, to have them removed.
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I suspected my plate was bothering me. I have a sore area on my scar. I had an X-ray where we placed a metal BB over the sore spot to see the relationship between the BB and the plate and screws. The sore spot is not over the plate or screws. More likely the soreness is coming from a scar neuroma from the lesser occipital nerve. (Judging from where the pain radiates when pressed.) I plan to have a scar revision in late Feb. So...I'd say my 2 plates and 8 screws don't seem to cause any problems.
Janet
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Firewalker,
I'm not sure when the leak started, but I know I waited awhile before I said anything to my doctor about it. I was hoping it would fix itself. I started to get a nose drip sometime in March.
~Karen
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Hi Vcschaub: Thanks for clarifying the plate process for middle fossa procedures with Dr Brackmann.
Hey Kristin: Sounds like you got your answer :)
Couldn't sleep tonight (this morning) because tomorrow is the Jamaican iron bird in de' sky day for me and my family! Be well, and I'll touch base again with the forum before my big "S" day.
Cheers & Happy New Year!
~Firewalker
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HI Firewalker,
Enjoy the trip and wedding don't worry about a thing. You are in good hands at House! Please keep in touch. Ann
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Hello Firewalker. Had the same size tumor as you and same ear and same doctors. Not to worry. Been in Alaska at minus 20. Of course I keep my hat on! Wishing you well. Neal
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Hello Firewalker. I had the same size tumor, same ear and same doctors. No problems with the mesh at -20 in Alaska. Of course I keep my hat on! Best wishes, Neal.
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Hello Firewalker. I had the same size tumor, same ear and same doctors. No problem with the mesh at -20 in Alaska. Of course I keep my hat on. Wishing you well, Neal
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Hi Neal,
WHOA-that's cold! We've been having below zero temps here in Wisconsin off and on for the last week and I can say that when I breathe in through my nose and the air freezed right inside my nose that it's probably below zero. Thanks for the feedback and am sure glad you haven't had any issues with your plate. Hope your surgery went well with Dr. Brackmann. If you get a chance I love to hear about it in a personal note. I'm heading out to CA this Mon (1/28/08) for my surgery and am surprisingly pretty calm about it. I'm not too concerned about the titanium plate anymore thanks to everyone's response.
Be well,
~Firewalker
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Firewalker -
just wanted to say hi and wish you the best of luck with your surgery. You are in good hands and I'm confident things will work out fine for you.
Please let us know when you're a postie.
Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers,
Jan
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I am a newcomer to the forum - I am trying to do some research on this titanium "mesh" that you guys are all talking about. Is this literally mesh? Like Woven Wire Mesh screen? Something like this manufacturer may make for industrial purposes www.bwire.com (http://www.bwire.com)
I find this odd that a product that may be used in some type of industrial electronics would be use to fuse together a skull. Can someone explain to me why and how this material is used? Any ideas?
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I had a titanium mesh "umbrella" put in my heart. Had a stroke in April 2009 caused by a FPO...a hole between the right and left side of my heart. The hole was closed by putting a silver dollar sized double-sided umbrella in the hole. My heart muscle grew over the mesh and closed the hole. Perfectly health now.
I suppose your skull could grow over the mesh. I had a translab and I have no idea how they closed the hole. The BAHA screw is titanium and your skull grows into the screw. Titanium is widly used in all types of surgery so try not to worry about it.
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I am a newcomer to the forum - I am trying to do some research on this titanium "mesh" that you guys are all talking about. Is this literally mesh? Like Woven Wire Mesh screen? Something like this manufacturer may make for industrial purposes www.bwire.com (http://www.bwire.com)
I find this odd that a product that may be used in some type of industrial electronics would be use to fuse together a skull. Can someone explain to me why and how this material is used? Any ideas?
I'm not sure why it would be "odd" that a product used in industrial applications is used in surgery. Silk is used in "blouse applications" and they use that too. Cat gut is used in "violin applications" and surgery as well.
All joking aside, they use many shapes and sizes and textures of titanium inserts to support or even replace portions of skull removed for all types of craniotomies. Titanium posts are holding couple of teeth in my upper jaw right now too.
And then there's pig heart used in heart valve surgery that is often used in "sausage applications"...
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Hi Florentine,
Roughly 10 years ago I had to have two surgeries on my wrists. The first surgery was on my left wrist and I had a 6" stainless steel plate put into my arm. I had a reaction to the stainless steel and it took several weeks for the swelling to subside. Three months after that surgery, they did my right wrist and my orthopaedic surgeon decided to use a 6" titanium plate rather than the stainless steel. I was told that people rarely if ever react to titanium, where they can react with stainless steel. Titanium is also substantially more expensive to use than stainless steel. I sailed through that surgery with no reaction to the titanium. So based on my experience I would say titanium is used for it's strength, and the fact that is runs the least risk (if any) of causing reactions or side effects.
Cathie
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Hi there,
I am hoping someone can help me.
I have a titanium mesh plate in my right side of
head. It was placed Aug 2012. It has never really
bothered me until now I think. I keep having this
terrible, unbearable headache pain, that is always
on the right side of my head. I have been ti neurologist
and ERs. They all make me feel like I am making it
up and say I don't know what to tell you and send
me on my way. Recently I have noticed that every
morning my head is swollen, like an edema on and around my patch. It goes down by mid day but the
headaches are persistent and never go away no
matter what I take. The doctors make me feel
like I am drug seeking and no one wants to help me.
Can anyone help me, any suggestions?
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I am sorry for your pain. My only suggestion is DON'T GIVE UP. It may be expensive with seeking multiple medical opinions, but better to have an answer!
I know what it's like to want an answer that doesn't include taking drugs.
Good luck.
MJB
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it is very rare but you may have developed allergy to the titanium mesh, recommend you speak to a doctor who can do allergy testing. i would call several and see what they know specifically about titanium reactions, try to find a doctor who has actually seen this sort of thing and tested for it.