Ross Surgeon

[Wade B]

I am in need of an aortic valve replacement and believe I will have the Ross Procedure. There are no surgeons in Ft. Wayne who perform the procedure, so I was referred to Dr. John Brown in Indianapolis. I've also researched Dr. Gosta Pettersson at the Cleveland Clinic. Does anyone have experience with either, and are there suggestions on selecting a surgeon?

Thanks,

 

[ALCapshaw2]

The Ross Procedure is a Very Complex Surgery and most CAD / Valve Surgeons do NOT perform it. Bottom Line: Find a Surgeon with LOTS of RP experience and a good track record.

Dr. Gosta Pettersson at Cleveland Clinic is a World Class Surgeon but I do not know how many RP's he has done.

The Most Prolific RP surgeon I know of is Dr. Stelzer in NYC (over 400 RP's to his credit). Check the Member Profile for "StretchL" who has a website with his RP Photo-Journal. Also look up old posts from StretchL where he documented his search and decision process in selecting Dr. Stelzer.

Other well known RP Surgeons are Dr. Ryan in Dallas and another in Houston (I forgot his name).

There is another current thread where RP surgeons have been discussed. We have several RP members. Try a "Search" (click on Blue Line at the top of the page) for "Ross Procedure" and you will find links to MANY posts on the subject.

'AL Capshaw'

 

[surfsparky]

Hi Wade!

Welcome to the site!
I can't help you for your search for a Ross surgeon (we live in Australia) but I echo the advice about making sure that you have a surgeon that has done MANY Ross procedures. If you have any questions about the Ross, feel free to ask...we're here for you,

Yolanda

 

[Susan BAV]

I am in need of an aortic valve replacement and believe I will have the Ross Procedure. There are no surgeons in Ft. Wayne who perform the procedure, so I was referred to Dr. John Brown in Indianapolis. I've also researched Dr. Gosta Pettersson at the Cleveland Clinic. Does anyone have experience with either, and are there suggestions on selecting a surgeon?

Thanks,

Welcome to the site, Wade. You probably saw this recent thread; but in case you didn't, it seemed to have a lot of personal experience, which you may find informative, in regard to the Ross procedure: http://valvereplacement.com/forums/showthread.php?t=26683

 

[Turkey Hunter]

Dr. P. was my RP surgeon

Dr. P. was my RP surgeon

I was number 208 for Dr. P 8 years ago. He is an amazing surgeon. He actually perfected his Rp skills in Europe on infants....that's why I chose him.
My valves are doing perfectly....I would be happy to answer any specifics you have.

No matter who you use, be sure they are very experienced at the Ross.

Ben

 

[Tom F.]

I might suggest that you consider Dr. Robert March at Rush University Hospital in Chicago. Back in 2002, when he performed a valve sparing surgery for me, he had done well over 100 Ross procedures, and he continues to do them. Chicago is not so far away from you, so you may want to consider it.

 

[ctyguy]

Wade,

First off welcome to the site ! I had my AVR performed by Dr Petterssonand at my initial consult I asked him about the possibility of a Ross procedure, based on my research I thought I was a fairly good candidate. Dr P is an absolutely wonderful surgeon with thousands of procedures of all types under his belt. He told me that he would recommend against a Ross procedure because I would be going from a one valve patient to a two valve patient. He said that his concern with the Ross procedure is that within 10 years upwards of 20% of patients end up having additional issues and a large portion of that 20% end up with followup procedures. My goal was to be one and done with OHS so I took his advice and went with an On-X mechanical valve. I will be at 6 months next week and thus far things have gone very well for me. In reading the other responses to this thread I can see one from Ben that says Dr P performed his Ross which doesn't suprise me. His surgical skills are incredible and Im not suprised that Ben is doing so well. I can only conclude that at this point he isn't happy with the rate of complications he has seen over time and that is why he advised against it in my case. If you do go with a Ross make sure you have someone who is in the same league as Dr P in regards to skillsets, that procedure is quite a bit more complicated than a mechanical AVR.

 

[Pete]

I was Dr. Paul Stelzer's 444th Ross Procedure 4 weeks ago today at Mount Sinai in New York. He is a wonderful person at an outstanding facility who you have to meet because words can't describe him. I feel very lucky to have met him.

 

[kchit]

Dr. John Brown

Dr. John Brown

I am having surgery on sept29 with Dr. John Brown. Due to my age a I will be having a mechanical valve but I have met a lady that had the ross procedure with Dr Brown. She had her surgery two years ago and has done great. She doesn't take any meds. I have also met a lady who's newborn grandson had surgery with John Brown. Good Luck to you..

 

[Wade B]

Thanks for the input. I've recently received several endorsements for Dr. Brown as well. In either case, I feel that I'm in good hands. Good luck kchit. It's nice to know there is such a large group of individuals with similar issues / concerns.

 

[spartangator]

Absolutely, Wade. Feel free to ask whatever questions you may have through posts, private messages, chat, or whatever works for you. As you've probably noticed, the people here are exceedingly open and helpful.

I, for one, would be a lot worse off without them. My Ross was about 10 months ago, and I went through a similar procedure as you to seek out and consider quite a few surgeons. As everyone's said, though, surgeon experience is the key no matter what choice you go with.

 

[Leeroy996]

Hi Wade,
I also looked into Dr. Gosta Pettersson at the Cleveland Clinic. Everything at the Cleveland Clinic seemed difficult to get done and to find the right people to speak to. I had to travel a long way for surgery and wasn't interested in a situation I wasn't comfortable with.
btw - Turn Scott's stats on their head. That's 80%.
Here's an article on a chap that got his valve without OHS.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/1/story.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10528192

 

[Wade B]

Long Term Plan

Long Term Plan

I read that article yesterday. Sounds pretty exciting. My plan is to do the Ross procedure, and then in 10, 15 or 20 years when I need work done on the homograft, this procedure will be perfected and I'll be in and out of the hospital in days. It's only a theory, but I can dream can't I? Medicine has come a long way in recent years and I cannot see why it won't continue to progress.

 

[ctyguy]

Leroy...Im not sure what you meant by turning the stat on its head. 20% versus 80% ? Are you saying 80% of Ross patients have to have another procedure ? Im going by what Dr Pettersson related to me with the 20% figure.

Also, I was 14 days from my initial phone call to Dr Pettersson to being on the table for surgery. I worked with his assistant who basically handwalked all my paperwork through, she was an absolute saint.

Also, that link is great and I agree that in 20 years valve replacement surgery will probably be light years from where it is now. But being on the conservative side was what worked best for me. So far I've got no issues and other than the meds I take each day it sometimes feels like the surgery was a total non-event.

 

[teri]

Looks like you have already made up your mind to go with John Brown.....Just wanted to add my 2 cents worth. He performed the Ross on my husband 2 years ago yesterday, and the results have been absolutely amazing. Today, my husband is better than ever with perfect test results every year. He is on no medications whatsoever, and feels like a new person. He even ran the mini marathon this past May! He had the surgery at age 48, and Dr. Brown felt he was a perfect candidate. We placed our fate in his hands, and he exceeded every expectation we had. You have made an excellent choice, and I wish you the very best of luck. Please tell Dr. Brown we said hello!
Teri Margason, Indianapolis

 

[Wade B]

Thank you Teri. There's nothing like a ringing endorsement to help calm my anxiety. I'm only scheduled for a surgical consultation on the 17th of this month, and may not be scheduled for surgery until late October. I try not to get myslef worked up too much, but figure the anticipation will likely be worse than the actual experience.

 

[ALCapshaw2]

Thank you Teri. There's nothing like a ringing endorsement to help calm my anxiety. I'm only scheduled for a surgical consultation on the 17th of this month, and may not be scheduled for surgery until late October. I try not to get myslef worked up too much, but figure the anticipation will likely be worse than the actual experience.

Having confidence in your surgeon goes a long way towards 'calming the nerves' before surgery. Most of our members report that the anticipation and waiting is the Worst Part of the whole ordeal. Many reach a 'sense of calm' as they accept their fate and look to the future.

Best Wishes.

'AL Capshaw'

 

[CHDDoug]

Ross surgeon

Ross surgeon

I talked to two Ross surgeons...both whom have been mentioned.

1. Dr. Stelzer - world class guy and also surgeon! I had a couple of great conversations with him and felt very comfortable having my surgery performed by him (only limiting factor for me was ease of travel for me and my family members - to NY).
2. Dr. William Ryan - who actually performed my Ross. Same - world class guy and surgeon. He's done alot of Ross procedures and did mine very well. I'm almost 6 months post op and doing very well. The new Heart Hospital at Plano is simply amazing...almost resort-like.

You can't go wrong with either one of these guys.

Good luck to you!

 

[francie12]

Dr. Stelzer mentioned Dr. Brown to us as someone he would highly recommend to do the Ross for someone looking for a surgeon in the midwest. Best of luck.