ANA Discussion Forum

Treatment Options => Microsurgical Options => Topic started by: v357139 on October 06, 2013, 11:08:46 am

Title: How Much Experience is Enough?
Post by: v357139 on October 06, 2013, 11:08:46 am

I contacted Dr Grady at UPenn in Philadelphia who works with Dr Bigelow.  Dr Bigelow used to work with Dr Judy, but Dr Judy moved.  I have seen alot of good things about Bigelow/Judy on this site, so I gather Dr Judy is quite experienced.  Dr Grady has done 150-200 removals, and I think the same amount of Gamma Knife or other radiation treatments.  If he teams with Dr Bigelow, is that enough experience?

Title: Re: How Much Experience is Enough?
Post by: PaulW on October 06, 2013, 02:48:03 pm

There are a number of research papers showing that experienced teams produce less complications.
Which is probably why the ANA recommends an experienced team.
Depending on the research paper depends on what that benchmark is.
The least amount of complications appear to come from
1. Two surgeons working as a team
2. More than 50 AN surgeries
3. More than 10 AN surgeries per year

Title: Re: How Much Experience is Enough?
Post by: v357139 on October 06, 2013, 07:24:16 pm

Thanks.  Do you have any of those articles?

Title: Re: How Much Experience is Enough?
Post by: v357139 on October 06, 2013, 07:24:51 pm

I mean those research papers.

Title: Re: How Much Experience is Enough?
Post by: theshawn65 on October 16, 2013, 02:37:43 pm

I don't know but when I saw this at the place I went to and am getting treatment from it cemented that I don't need to go across country for great treatment. I consider myself blessed this place is 30 min from home.

"The Mayfield Clinic treats more than 160 patients with acoustic neuroma and neurofibromatosis (NF-2) a year. Our affiliation with the University of Cincinnati Brain Tumor Center and the Precision Radiotherapy Center provides patients with care from a multidisciplinary team of doctors. "

Title: Re: How Much Experience is Enough?
Post by: v357139 on October 17, 2013, 08:12:39 pm

I have seen Mayfield quoted many times.  Glad it worked out for you.