Microvascular decompression (MVD) surgery can represent the best option a patient has to relieve pain caused by the impingement of a cranial nerve. If you have been advised to seek this treatment, it is important to know what to look for in a neurosurgical practice. As you go about making this very important decision, look for the five following qualities when searching for a surgeon who performs microvascular decompression surgery in New Jersey.
1) Many May Offer, but All Aren’t Specialists
Would you take your broken vehicle to a person who can perform mechanical fixes in general, but not necessarily on cars? Of course you wouldn’t. You owe it to yourself to take the same care in finding practitioners of microvascular decompression (MVD) surgery as well. While many different doctors may advertise that they perform microvascular decompression procedures, they may not be true specialists of that type of surgery. Your pain can best be addressed by surgeons who specialize in microvascular decompression and who frequently perform the procedure. In addition, specialists who undergo extensive continuing education in the latest surgical methods, or who have been published in the field of microvascular decompression, are better suited to handle your case than a general surgeon.
2) Great Surgeons, Great Staff
When you are seeking a specialist to perform microvascular decompression (MVD) surgery, it is important to remember that you will be interfacing with a broad swath of medical professionals, rather than just your surgeon. Along the way, your case will be worked on by a scheduler, an insurance specialist, nurses, physician assistants, medical assistants and additional doctors who may assist in pre-op, operative and post-op functions. The mark of a good specialist is the fantastic team who surrounds him or her. It is not enough for those professionals to be competent in their work. Rather, they must be compassionate and patient-centric individuals who will work their hardest to ensure that your surgical journey does not experience unnecessary potholes or roadblocks along the way.
3) State of the Art, Leading Edge Technology
The medical field is in a state of constant flux, with new technologies and techniques coming into practice rapidly and continually. Microvascular decompression should be considered major surgery, as it includes gently opening the skull (suboccipital craniectomy) before using an operative microscope to identify the exact blood vessel causing your painful nerve impingement. From the pre-operative tests done prior to your procedure to the tools used in the operating room by your neurosurgeon, you should have access to the latest technological advances. Safely performing the necessary craniectomy performed requires expertise with current operative equipment and specialized technologies. During this procedure, a circular piece of your skull is removed to allow access for the decompression technique to occur. In years past, this same piece of skull may have been reattached. Currently, most neurosurgeons prefer to use a titanium plate that will not fall victim to the type of material degradation that the removed piece of skull might experience. Ask your neurosurgeon about the technology and techniques he or she uses so you can best understand what you will experience.
4) Success Stories Speak Volumes
How has your neurosurgeon helped other patients in the same or similar circumstances as you? What functional gains have they experienced? While HIPAA laws require practitioners to carefully guard their patients’ privacy, success stories are often able to be shared under anonymous conditions or with the patient’s permission granted. Ask your doctor to share some of these success stories – while every patient is different, you can use the experience of others to prepare for surgery and build realistic expectations. You can also review your neurosurgeon on various internet sites. Often, former patients will leave reviews about their surgical experience.
5) Transparency and Education
A clear sign of a practitioner who is adept in their field is a willingness to be transparent at all times. A surgeon should never withhold information about your case from you. In addition, good neurosurgeons are more than willing to answer any and all questions you may have as you prepare both mentally and physically to undergo surgery. This means that you and your neurosurgeon will have to form a bond based on trust and understanding, enabling your doctor to know as much about your case as possible from the information you share and questions you have, while also allaying your fears and helping you feel well-prepared for the procedure ahead. Never hesitate to ask any questions, request copies of any pre-surgical scans or for additional educational information that your doctor can provide.
Complex Cases, Complex Relationships
You and your neurosurgeon will be working together over the course of many weeks or months in order to restore function and minimize pain from your life. Besides the time spent leading up to your microvascular decompression surgery, you will also be followed for some time post-operatively to track progress and determine whether any additional issues need to be addressed or follow-up procedures performed. By evaluating potential neurosurgeons in these five areas, you can ensure that your new relationship will get off to the best possible start.
