The "Wow!" Showing X-Rays of scoliosis correction surgery to family and patient.

One of the best parts of my job is getting a chance to share the
postoperative X-Rays with parents and with the scoliosis patients
after correcting their spinal deformity.
Yesterday we helped Claire from Virginia who had a severe double curve
scoliosis, and got a very nice correction.
The usual conference room where I meet with families after surgery was
being used, so we shared Claire's old and new "shape" next to each
other up against the window. Mom and dad and Claire's brother
definitely gave a big "Wow!".

Later in the day yesterday, I shared the X-Rays with Claire, as she
was recovering after surgery in her private room with mom and dad.
She looked up at the printout of her X-Rays, before and after, and
gave a very definite "WOW!", and a very broad, bright smile.
I also understand that she was "texting" her friends on her cell phone
within 2 hours of waking up from anesthesia!!
Since her surgery was just under 3 hours, that makes almost 5 full
hours when she was out of contact with friends!
Thankfully we have a free wireless network in the hospital, so she can
also email or IM friends from her room.

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Lloyd A. Hey, MD MS
Hey Clinic for Scoliosis and Spine Surgery
Raleigh, NC USA
http://www.heyclinic.com
Member, Scoliosis Research Society (SRS) http://www.srs.org

14 yo with 58/40 degree double curve scoliosis from Richmond, VA. Mon Dec 29 2008 Scoliosis Surgery w/ Dr. Hey

This morning we straightened up Claire, a 14 yo from Richmond
Virginia. She had a progressive double curve scoliosis with 58
degree lower curve, and 40 degree upper curve.
She came and saw me for a second opinion last month after she was
scheduled to have scoliosis surgery with fusion down to L5.
Bending films at Hey Clinic taken that day suggested that the lower
curve, although large, was nicely flexible at the base, so I was
hopeful we could spare her 3 rather than 1 lower disc spaces (a BIG
deal).

Her surgery went very well this morning.
Surgical Time: Start 0826, Finish 1120
Surgical Time: 2 hrs 54 minutes.
EBL: 600 cc
Cell Saver 250 cc
Blood Transfused: None.
Evoked Potentials: Normal Sensory and Motor.
Scoliosis Correction: Over 90%.
Postop Location: PACU, and then to Private Orthopaedic Room with
Parents, Duke Raleigh Hospital.
Predicted Hospital Length of Stay: Two Nights.

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Lloyd A. Hey, MD MS
Spine Surgeon
Hey Clinic for Scoliosis and Spine Surgery
Raleigh, NC USA
http://www.heyclinic.com
Member, Scoliosis Research Society (SRS) http://www.srs.org