What is an experienced surgeon???

[Lynlw]

Angel, Aren't you having surgery this week?

 

[ALCapshaw2]

Just wondering, what considers a surgeon to be "experienced". How many valve replacements does he have to do to be considered, of good experience? I'm referring to aortic valve and aorta replacement surgeries. But, seriously, would it be 25, or 75, or more than 1 or 200? What would you say?

As I recall, you have BAV and an Aortic Aneurism.

This combination has a high correlation with Connective Tissue Disorder(s).

IF I had that combination of issues, I would want to KNOW that the Surgeon who was going to operate on me had the Knowledge, Skill, and Experience to be able to Recognize Defective Tissue and How to Sew a Valve into such tissue without the Stitching coming Loose as has happened to at least a couple of other members of these Forums and the Knowledge, Skill, and Experience to repair your Aorta. Such experience is probably beyond the 'comfort level' of most local / regional surgeons whose primary focus is on ByPass Surgery with a few 'basic' Valve Replacements.

Sorry to be so 'Blunt', but better to be Blunt than have a valve replacement fail because of a surgeon who was in over his head and/or out of his 'comfort zone'.

IF I was NOT comfortable with the Surgeon's Experience with those issues, I would Self Refer to more experienced Surgeon(s) until I found one I was comfortable with. Experience performing the procedure(s) YOU will need is Key. Not All Heart Surgeons are Equally skilled or experienced in all procedures, particularly the less common ones.

From what I have seen, all that is needed to make a Self Referal is to call the surgeon's office, tell them you have BAV and an Ascending Aortic Aneurism (or, for the general case, whatever conditions YOU have) and are seeking a Surgeon who has experience with those issues (and CTD). The Surgeon will want to see your Test Results and Tape / CD / DVD of those tests (EchoCardiogram, Catheterization, TEE, etc.). I know of surgeons who have worked-in such self referals within One Week.

FYI, Many of the Top Aorta / CTD Surgeons have been identified and used by members of these Forums.
Most of them operate at Major Heart Centers.

 

[Luana]

I agree with what Al says. Angel, I don't recall you mentioning BAV in your profile or in your previous posts, though it does appear with what's been discovered this week that you are a BAV person.

My concern about a surgeon for you is partly based on either where you live or where you're having surgery. If you're in a remote or rural area or a small city, I'd be more concerned than if you were living or having your surgery in a large metropolitan area where you'd have access to more experienced surgeons and hopefully more that are familiar with BAV issues.