Looking for a surgeon
 

I was wondering if anyone can recommend any surgeons? I live in Virginia, and would like to stay closer to home if possible. I have Venous (and neurogenic) TOS and am about at the end of my rope...I would rather not go back to UVA, but that seems to be a limiting factor for many of the physicians in my area. I have had one surgery already, and the outcome was poor. Now they are wanting to to do a surgery that seems pretty radical (at least to me) and I am having a hard time getting a second opinion. They are recommending a first rib resection and removing SEVERAL muscles (including pec major). I have already had pec minor done, but it did nothing to help the problem.

I will travel if I have to, but I have a limited income and small children to take into consideration. I am in constant pain and have had to limit my work because of the repetitive motion. Any help would be appreciated...I am getting desperate.

Hi,
Was the first surg the pec minor only?

I'll check the drs/Pts listings and post back shortly.

I'm not sure about distances but @ nearby states-
sorry but some of these are from 2006 list , but maybe still worth a call or ask them for other referrals/names if they know of any closer to your area..

Maryland

A. Lee Dellon, MD, FACS
Suite 370, Johnston Professional Building
Union Memorial Hospital
3333 North Calvert Street
Baltimore, Maryland, 21218
phone 410-467-5400
fax 410-366-9826
E-MAIL: aldellon@erols.com

Dr. Michele T. Cerino, MD, PA
Cardiovascular-Thoracic Surgery
Osler Medical Center
7600 Osler Drive, Suite 300
Towson, MD 21204
410-296-9003

Dr. Julia Freischlog
Chief of Vascular Surgery @ John Hopkins Baltimore Md
601 N. Caroline St.
8th Floor Adult Medicine Dept.
Baltimore, MD 21287
PH: 443-287-3497
FAX: 443-287-3500
http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/surge...lty/Freischlag
Or
Dr. Julie A. Freischlag, MD
600 North Wolfe Street #611, Baltimore, MD
Johns Hopkins Hospital
(410) 955-2618


Dr. Avraam Karas / Dir. Vascular Surgery
5601 Loch Raven Blvd. Suite 404
Baltimore, MD 21239
Phone: (410)323-4041
Fax: (410)532-6155


North Carolina

Joseph Whitlark
Clinic: Thoracic and Vascular of Kinston
703 Rosanne Drive Suite A
Kinston, North Carolina 28504
Phone: (252)939-9300
Fax: (252)939-9305

Felix A. Evangelist MD
Cardiothoracic
3601 E Independence Blvd
Charlotte ,NC 28205
Phone: (704)563-7788

West Virginia

Rebecca Wolford
John Marshall Medical Center
1600 Medical Dr.
Huntington, West Virginia 25701
Phone: (304)691-1200
Website: meb.marshall.edu/medctr


If you have family in some other states here is the Drs & PT sticky thread- http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread135-2.html

Of all of these Dr. Freislag is the most well known and foremost in the field.

The first surgery was pec minor only, but my pre-op workup was poor. The pec minor relase did nothing for the issues, and now I have new issues that have come up. I have since had a venogram that confirmed the issue was my first rib, but I am wondering if they take the rib why do they need to take all the other muscles. It just seems a little aggressive, but my pain and limitations are increasing daily. I have been lucky that I have not developed clot yet, but I am developing weakness in the arm now (along with the constant swelling).

I have looked into some of these names...unfortunately I have been told that Dr. Freischlag does not accept the type of insurance we have and Dr. Evangelist is deceased. I was not comfortable with the surgeon who did my last workup...he spent very little actual time with me and was very abrupt. I appreciate any input, I just don't know which way to go with this :(

I wonder if you contact Dr. Freischlag/ or her office and ask her for names/referral of others that she thinks are good? Same for the others on the list. Doesn't hurt to call and ask for help with referrals/names.

If they have email listed, type out your basic story and the ins that you have and send a copy to each of them.. see what happens..
Or
If you share the ins non coverage issue maybe they have a way to get approval or some other work around?

Since it is the 2nd go at a surgical type of fix, I would for sure keep looking for expert surgeons.

All the other muscles do not have to be removed, but all muscles that attach to the rib must be partially resected. Full removal of the anterior and median scalenes is often recommended if scalene hypertrophy is contributing and/or to prevent potential future recurrence.

I had my rib removed but the scalenes only partially resected, not fully removed. If I suffer from recurrence in the future I may have to have full scalenectomies performed (chances are slim in my case).

Re: Looking for a Surgeon
 

Dr. Julie Freischlag, although the best of the best, doent not take Blue Cross/ Blue Shield. All consultations and surgeries must be made out of pocket and then submitted to your insurance for hopeful reimbursement. Dr. Avaarm Karas out of Good Sam in Baltimore is exceptional. Please look him up.