Continue reading article…

I was speaking with a friend whose close family member suffered a C2 injury (refers to the location, the second cervical vertebrae) twenty years ago.  He has been following the Eric LeGrand story very closely and commented how twenty years ago, when his relative was going through the same thing, the treatment options and rehabilitation methods were far less sophisticated than they are currently.

The team of doctors and healthcare professionals that I work with at The Institute for Advanced Reconstruction are also committed to advancing treatments for spinal cord patients.  We offer surgical therapy to reverse many of the consequences of spinal cord injury.  Although we cannot yet restore walking ability to a paraplegic, we may be able to restore sensation to the buttock area to prevent pressure sores, or be able to reverse ventilator dependency for a patient with a high cervical spinal cord injury.  Some of the surgical treatments on the horizon include: restoring bladder and/or bowel control and providing the ability for some upper extremity function in quadriplegics.

Congratulations to Eric LeGrand, and may he continue to make steady progress on his road to full recovery, just as treatment options for all individuals with spinal cord injury continue to advance at a slow, but steady pace on the path to an ultimate cure.

Matthew Kaufman, MD, FACS

The multi-process procedure, which was performed on Edward Silcox of Langhorne, PA, was completed on Friday, January 22 at Somerset Medical Center.  At that time, Dr. Kaufman activated a diaphragm pacemaker, which allowed Mr. Silcox to immediately breathe on his own.  The procedure is also intended to improve Mr. Silcox’s speech, his ability to eat and will lower infection rates in his lungs.

“We are thrilled with Edward’s successful outcome, and the significant opportunity it represents for the thousands of people who suffer spinal cord injuries every year,” said Dr. Kaufman, who is currently the only surgeon in New Jersey to perform this procedure.  “In addition to improved quality of life, eliminating the ventilator significantly reduces the risk of lung infection, which is a leading cause of death in spinal cord injuries.”

Friday’s procedure followed an initial surgery on December 29, also at Somerset Medical Center, where Dr. Kaufman and his team performed a microsurgical decompression of the phrenic nerve and implanted the pacemaker.  Through rehabilitation, Mr. Silcox will continuously be weaned off the respirator in order to replace his dependency on the ventilator. Mr. Silcox was paralyzed from the neck down as a result of a motorcycle accident in 2008. 

Dr. Kaufman is a part of the medical team at the Institute for Advanced Reconstruction at the Plastic Surgery Center, which is comprised of a group of surgeons who are highly skilled in nerve transplantation and advanced reconstruction. They perform a number of unique operations to help patients suffering from life-altering medical conditions who are often told there are no treatment options available. Some of these conditions that the Plastic Surgery Center treats include:

1.  Paralysis resulting from accidents and strokes
2. Diabetic neuropathy
3. Paralyzed diaphragm/ventilator-based breathing
4. Facial reanimation
5. Nerve decompression for migraine headaches

About The Plastic Surgery Center

Located in Shrewsbury, New Jersey, The Plastic Surgery Center’s team of doctors has more than 50 years of combined experience performing facial, skin, and body cosmetic surgery. They offer cutting edge cosmetic and reconstructive procedures and have developed a number of innovative surgical techniques offered at few other facilities in the world. The Plastic Surgery Center doctors are committed to excellence providing exceptional, personalized care in a friendly, comfortable setting using the most advanced equipment available. For further information, please visit the Plastic Surgery Center’s website at www.looknatural.com.

Links: www.advancedreconstruction.com

For individuals with ventilator dependency due to high spinal cord injuries there is a new surgical treatment that could reduce or eliminate the need for the ventilator. The treatment is being offered as part of a study at Saint Peter’s University Hospital in New Brunswick, New Jersey, under the guidance of Dr. Matthew R. Kaufman, MD, FACS.

Eligibility:

Eligible participants include adults and children dependent upon ventilators for respiratory support as a result of spinal cord injury, brainstem injury or disease, central alveolar hypoventilation, central sleep apnea (Ondine’s curse), and certain neuromuscular diseases

Outline of Study:

Although diaphragm pacing is an option for some people with ventilator dependency there are many who may no be candidates based upon the level and degree of injury. The goal of the current study is to improve the methods by which SCI patients can be rehabilitated to spontaneous or paced breathing. The procedure involves a surgical procedure performed in the neck, during which a nerve transfer is performed. Depending on the individual, this will be either with or without a diaphragm pacemaker.

Potential Benefits:

1. Superior respiratory function to mechanical ventilators
2. Lower infection rate
3. Possibility of tracheostomy removal
4. Improved breathing and speech
5. Ease of eating and drinking
6. Improved venous return
7. Increased patient mobility
8. Cost effective when compared to ventilator dependency
9. Unobtrusive use due to the small size of components

Patient Requirements:

1. Functional lungs and diaphragm muscle
2. Absence of infection
3. A clear and adequate upper airway
4. Adequate physical caregiver quality and availability, including, nursing, family support, and medical care

Please feel free to contact us by phone or e-mail us via our website in order to receive more information or to speak with a member of our team.

1-866-263-9123
www.advancedreconstruction.com

Matthew R. Kaufman, MD, FACS
Clinical Assistant Professor – Drexel College of Medicine
Division of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery
Saint Peter’s University Hospital
New Brunswick, NJ 08901

The Institute for Advanced Reconstruction
535 Sycamore Avenue
Shrewsbury, NJ 07702