How Many Laminectemies are Possible?

[janos]

Hi,

It's nearly a year since my first laminectemy (L1 and L2) and very new to this forum.
I have a residual tumor which is growing. I'm wondering how many laminectemies it is possible to have over a lifetime? I'm 35 now, and my worst case outcome is paralysis from L1 down. I'm just wondering how many chances I have of staving it off, or preventing it happening by having more surgeries. Of course, for the last year i have been hoping that it would just shrink, but thats not happened.
I understand that maybe only 3 is the max. Have you, or do you know of anyone having more than 3? And what kind of time intervals between them?
Tnks for your time,
Jan

[Joel]

Goood question. I've had two, and I've known others with two, but I don't remember anyone having 3 on the same spot. The nerve damage tends to be worse with each surgery. After two surgeries the process tends to shift to radiation and then possibly chemo...

[CToom91]

Many people here have had 2 surgeries with a positive outcome.In your case Ireland is a small country and i doubt your Dr.has seen many scts.Your best bet is to consult with Dr.Jallo via e-mail or someone in the U.K.I know you're restricted by socialized medicine, but finding a team with extensive experience with scts is the most important factor in answering your questions and determining your outcome.

[IdaB]

Hi Jan,
I don't think there is a hard and fast rule. It depends on what was done in the previous surgeries, your overall physical condition, etc. From the location, it sounds like you may have a myxopapillary ependymoma (can you confirm)? I mention that because people with this type of tumor (myself included) are somewhat more likely to have regrowth and to need multiple surgeries. I know people who have had up to 4, BUT I should say that they may not have all been at the same location. (Some myxopapillary ependymomas, like mine, will diffuse/spread throughout the spinal column - though it doesn't sound like you have that issue (hurrah!). So I've had 2 surgeries, but at different locations).
I agree that the best thing is to get an opinion from one of the very best neurosurgeons for spinal cord tumors. Dr. Jallo at Johns Hopkins will usually look at your MRIs for free, and he may have some recommendation(s) for Irish surgeons (he may not, but it's worth a try). Other great surgeons in the US include, by reputation on this board, Dr. Barth Green in Miami and Dr. Richard Fessler in Chicago. (There are others, of course, but these are some of the ones I've heard praised most highly). There are only a few surgeons who have done a lot of spinal cord tumors - doing brain tumors is NOT the same thing at all. If the surgeon leaves behind any tumor, it is more likely to re-grow, so it's best to get a surgeon who can safely remove as much of the tumor as possible (without causing deficits).
If you haven't had radiation, this might be something to consider too - but if I were in your case I would consult with surgeons first.
Hope this helps - please keep us posted.
Best,
Ida

[supv26]

I have only had one surgery but they did a laminectomy on 3 vertibrate to remove a Schwannoma tunmor. They did T11, T12, and L1 and did not put anything back in. I have no pins, rods, bolts or screws. I still have some residual tumor left but after several MRI's since surgery, it does not appear to be growing.

[jar]

I had the second surgery on July 9th. Mine is Schwannoma on C-span #5-6. I have My surgeon said he did 7 times and then his patient died. I asked the time intervals because I had the first out 3 and half years ago. At first it didn't happen for a long time and then happened like that.
I am not sure this is his case or not because I had to have the second surgery the next day and it was not good thing to know about.
Anyway, he is one of the best doctors in Korea and he works for Samsung hospital in Seoul, South Korea.

[8338]

I don't know if you're asking about how many surgeries or how many laminectomy on the vertibrae people have had. During my first surgery they did a laminectomy on 4 vertibrae and my second surgery, six months later, they did 2. So my answer is 6.
Barb

[Day]

Hello!

I had one surgery June 10, 08 and Dr. Mangels (Tulsa, OK, what a name for a neuro-surgeon) removed 4 at one time, in one spot, to free a very large Meningioma. Dr. Mangels said it was crushing my spinal cord (MRI,s looked scary). After some rehab and much prayer me and my dented spinal cord are back home with family and I am learning to walk again! I found it encouraging to read Barb's post about her surgeries and having had 6 removed. She is right a positive outlook goes a long way! Also if you can find a heated pool to work-out in, it helps.
God Bless You - Day

[badtazz]

I had my 3rd in june of 07, my first was in may of 03. They were also L1-L2. I get worse each time, but what the heck. I had my 1st at 40 and I'm now 46. The worst thing is the pain from the scar tissue and also my spinal cord is tethered. As for how many you can have, I never asked, they just tell me how dangerous it is. Well, gotta go, the granddaughter is up now and needs some breakfast. Have Fun Everyone.

Jeff