Hello Community!

I think I might be out-of-luck here but I thought I'd give it a try. I'm a 45 military wife born with Spina Bifida -( lipomyelomeningocele ) and suffering from Tethered Cord Syndrome. I've had 21 surgeries so far and have some more in my near future.

Due to the current level of deterioration, my spinal cord is tethered in two places and even with my high tolerance of pain...I'm needing another procedure. This time, however, I was referred to a group of neurosurgeons at the Barrow Neuroscience Institute in Phoenix, Arizona. There are a couple of surgeons there doing a radical new procedure called Posterior vertebral column subtraction osteotomy or "PVCSO" for short.

The surgeons literally amputate a portion of the spinal column and then bring the two pieces together with hardware and hope a fusion between the two halves comes together. I will have at least my entire T12 removed and possibly T11.

I don't suppose anyone has heard of this or had this done? Or maybe has had a surgery at Barrow's?

Thanks so much! Karen

Oh gosh Karen, what an incredibly brave woman you are. I haven't heard of such a procedure but I did find this on YouTube. You have probably viewed it, but just in case here is what I found. I went on to YouTube and searched using the words you had posted "Posterior vertebral column subtraction osteotomy" and it came up with an 11 minute video of 2 procedures preformed in Korea, worlds first osteotomy for spinal deformity. Both procedures were a success. If that's what you are having done or something similar, I pray you will have positive results as these 2 individuals shown did. They look amazingly well after their surgery and it's obviously life changing. Keep us posted, I'm looking to have my 5th fusion sometime soon, if I agree to go ahead with it. You are remarkable and inspiring. I wish you all the very best