Spinal Cord Injury Treatment Program

Patients sustaining injuries to the upper spinal cord from trauma, tumors or surgery are often unable to breathe on their own, requiring mechanical ventilation to sustain their lives. Ventilator dependency imparts a functional restriction on these patients, as they may never again be able to return home or perform activities of daily living. At The Institute for Advanced Reconstruction, we perform surgical procedures to allow these patients the ability to breathe without the ventilator, restoring a sense of independence and freedom.

This procedure to alleviate ventilator dependency is performed by Dr. Matthew Kaufman, trained in Otolaryngology (head and neck surgery) and the only known expert in the world to perform related phrenic nerve surgery. He treats spinal cord injured patients at facilities in both New Jersey and California.

In other treatment for spinal cord injured patients, the doctors at The Institute for Advanced Reconstruction perform a groundbreaking procedure intended to restore sensation to the hip and buttock areas in paraplegics with recurrent pressure sores. Nerve grafting is performed in conjunction with flap surgery to treat the pressure sore and provide the opportunity for sensory recovery.

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What We Offer

Nerve transplantation surgery helps patients who have suffered a devastating injury to the nerve plexuses in the arm or the leg. The surgeons at The Institute for Advanced Reconstruction can use this procedure to restore function in patients who have nerves so severely damaged that no other treatment options can help.

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Phrenic pacing provides ventilator support for patients with chronic respiratory insufficiency whose diaphragm, lungs, and phrenic nerves have residual function.

A diaphragm pacemaker, or phrenic nerve stimulator, consists of surgically implanted receivers and electrodes mated to an external transmitter by antennas worn over the implanted receivers.

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Pressure sores, also called bedsores or pressure ulcers, are injuries to skin and underlying tissue resulting from prolonged pressure on the skin. Many patients elect to have a wound surgically closed to speed the recovery process. Reconstruction of these wounds is often performed by our experts using flap surgery in which healthy skin and muscle from nearby locations is mobilized to cover the areas where pressure sores are located. Hyperbaric (or high pressure oxygen) may be used as well.

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The Institute for Advanced Reconstruction’s reputation for excellence is such that patients often travel considerable distances to take advantage of our expertise.

The physicians of The Institute for Advanced Reconstruction are recognized as leaders in the field of nerve reconstruction and plastic reconstructive surgery. With over half a century of combined experience, they can bring an impressive body of knowledge to bear on difficult cases. The Institute for Advanced Reconstruction’s team approach to medicine ensures that patients receive the highest possible quality of care, and hence the most functional and natural-looking reconstruction possible.
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Meet the Spinal Cord Injury Treatment Specialists

The Institute for Advanced Reconstruction’s reputation for excellence is such that patients often travel considerable distances to take advantage of our expertise.

The physicians of The Institute for Advanced Reconstruction are recognized as leaders in the field of nerve reconstruction and plastic reconstructive surgery. With over half a century of combined experience, they can bring an impressive body of knowledge to bear on difficult cases. The Institute for Advanced Reconstruction’s team approach to medicine ensures that patients receive the highest possible quality of care, and hence the most functional and natural-looking reconstruction possible.

Learn More