Myelotomy
Conveniently Located to Serve Dallas, Fort Worth, and the entire State of Texas
Prevent overwhelming pain throughout your body during surgical treatments with a myelotomy in Dallas and Fort Worth. This is a very delicate surgical operation on the spinal cord; it requires expertise and precision. That’s why it is important to seek the help of skilled and experienced neurosurgeon Dr. Nader Pouratian.
Dr. Pouratian’s years of enhanced functional neurosurgical training and experience with chronic pain management make him an ideal choice for myelotomy surgery. Speak with Dr. Pouratian to find out more about whether this complex procedure is right for you.
What Is a Myelotomy?
A myelotomy is a treatment option for patients with treatment resistant pain, especially when the pain affects the midline of the body. Although it is one of the more invasive procedures done for pain, it can provide the significant relief.
How Does It Work?
Pain signals that enter the spinal cord normally cross the midline before climbing up to the brain. The goal of this surgery is to interrupt these pain signals as they cross the midline of the spinal cord. The myelotomy procedure aims to interrupt abnormal signals before they get to climb up the spinal cord and into the brain. During the surgery, the spine is exposed and Dr Pouratian makes very precise cuts in the spine to interrupt the painful sensations. Specialized monitoring of the brain and spine is used throughout to maximize the safety of the procedure.
Am I A Good Candidate?
Myelotomy is a treatment option for individuals who have not found relief through other treatment options for chronic pain. In particular, myelotomy is most often considered for those patients with midline pain, particularly pelvic pain related to cancer.
This procedure is often an excellent option for cases when patients are experiencing side effects that effect quality of life as a result of chronic pain medications.
Your Myelotomy Consultation
During the consultation, Dr. Pouratian will determine the patient’s compatibility with myelotomy and will then discuss appropriate treatment options. He will ask the patient about their medical history, overall health, and reasons for seeking out a myelotomy. Other medical concerns and inquiries regarding myelotomy will be covered as well.
The Procedure
Patients scheduled to undergo the myelotomy procedure will be asked to fast for about five hours prior to the surgery. Patients will receive local anesthesia for the procedure in order to numb the treatment area. This is vital to the process—the patient will need to be awake and conscious to help direct Dr. Pouratian in proper spinal lesion placement.
Around 30 minutes before the start of the myelotomy, a contrast agent will be administered to aid in imaging. The agent may be placed into the spinal cord, or lumbar puncture (spinal tap) may be utilized.
Following administration of the contrast, Dr. Pouratian will take measurements to help decide on the proper region for lesion placement.
Next, the patient will lie on their front on a CT table. Their head and spine will be kept in place for safety.
With the help of CT imaging technology, a cordotomy needle will be inserted into the proper treatment area. Very minor electric stimulation will be administered through the cordotomy needle. The patient will verbally respond to the stimulation, helping Dr. Pouratian find the correct area for lesion creation.
The myelotomy procedure involves removal of the back part of the vertebral bones to expose the spine. The covering of the spine, or dura, is opened to expose the spine itself. Then, very precise incisions are made through the midline of the spinal cord to disrupt the transmission of pain signals to the brain.
The procedure can be immediately effective for the pain that it is targeting, with results in ~50-70% of patients. The most important risk of this surgery is a risk of weakness, which is why it is important to have an experienced surgeon do this surgery and to use the most advanced and experience spinal monitoring available.
The Myelotomy Recovery Period
Recovery after a myelotomy procedure may involve being observed overnight in the clinic to monitor the patient’s condition. This is mostly done as a precautionary measure. Painkillers will be adjusted based on the surgeon’s directions.
Contact Us
You can undergo surgical treatments without experiencing excruciating pain thanks to a myelotomy in Dallas and Fort Worth. For more information about myelotomy surgery, contact Dr. Pouratian to arrange a consultation today.
