TECHNICAL DETAILS OF THE SURGERY

Now, for those of you interested in some of the technical details of the surgery.... They were able to create the space in her skull that she needs by removing about 2 square inches of skull on the back of her head. They removed a little more skull than they planned in order to be able to access some portions of her Dura (brain covering) that needed some repair. They also removed a portion of the C1 vertebrate, as well as just a small amount of the C2(less than they had planned). The doctor indicated that instability (due to the removal of these vertebrates) should not be a problem. He indicated that Kelly's skull was quite thin, due to the constant pressure and bone erosion caused by the clogging of the brain and the brain stem, but followed up by saying this should not create any specific problems.

Additionally, they repaired 7 small holes in her dura that were also caused by pressure and erosion. The erosion (to both the skull and the dura) was caused by trying to squeeze the CSF fluid though very small spaces in the skull for all these years.

The length of her brain herniation was significant, 27 mm on one side and 22 mm on the other. Additionally, the fourth ventrical of her brain had been pushed down almost an inch which is also quite notable. That puts her in the 94th percentile of patients they have seen (this portion of the brain should not be pushed down out of the skull). However, that issue by itself doesn't necessarily mean there will be neuroligical symptions. Kelly has previously mentioned a potential follow-up surgery called a tethered cord surgery which might also help this. But, the doctor wants to give her a few months to determine if there are any more symptoms from the fourth ventricle being so low, but he is optimistic.

They shrunk the herniations that were hanging down (like fying bacon the doctor says) and inproved the CSF flow dramatically as a result. The doctor has indicated that Kelly doesn't use this portion of the brain for anything.

We have not seen her yet, but should soon. She will be in the recovery room for a while, and will move into a special room - neurological intensive care- for a couple of days. After that she will move into a regular hospital room for about 3 days. Then we'll see how she is doing and whether she needs to move into the off-site location here by the hospital.

I will post again once we see her in recovery room.
Charlie