Where in the US would I find the BEST OS and facility for PKR

[petuniafish]

I need a PKR SOON.
I live in Oregon and want to go to the best orthopedic surgeon/medical center I can find in the entire US. I have a huge problem with anesthesia and this is why I want to be sure I have not only a major medical center and an excellent OS, good cardiology dept. Hope not to have to go through this again.

Everyone in my immediately family are deathly allergic to all forms of "caines" and any narcotic- every single one. I can take Vicoden and that's it- certainly not enough for a PKR. No blocks, epidurals etc., because caines are used for these. Catch 22.

I'm an RN and happen to work in a small hospital in surgery. My sister died four years ago under anesthesia- her heart gave out from the narcotics and a type of 'caine' used. It was a medium sized medical center in San Diego. (I think she should have been at a place like UCLA or Scripps. ) I've even been to an allergist about it and it's impossible for me to get any of these meds without my heart stopping.

I have some ideas, as does an anesthesiologist I work with, but as one surgeon told me, it's like playing Russian roulette doing surgery on me. I've done three arthroscopies this year, no numbing, no narcotics, but the general anesthesia (no narcotics) was fine. Meditation worked afterwards for pain control, but that won't work for a PKR.

I need to have it soon.

I'm all ears about what OS, specialist in PKR's, and which medical center might be the very best. My insurance is OK with wherever I go.

Thanks to everyone........Nancy

 

[Josephine]

Well, I can give you these guidelines .....

~ contact the manufacturers of the hemis and asked them which centres/surgeons are their best customers.
~ then contact those surgeons and explain your problems, ask them the questions in this post How to choose a surgeon and a prosthesis
~ then explain your special problems to him and ask him to give you the names of his regular anaesthetists so you can talk to them as well

I would think by the end of that, you would get a more informed result. If any of them are reluctant to discuss with you, tick off your list! You don't want people who are not going to discuss this with you at length.

I wish you well in your search. That is an awful condition to have to cope with.

 

[petuniafish]

Jo,
Thanks so very much.
Did not know where to begin and you've given me an excellent process of elimination.
I'll get on my mark right away.
Knew you'd know how to get going.
Thanks so much.
Nancy

 

[Josephine]

Please let me know how you get on. That was all off the top of my head (inasmuch as it was what I would do were I in your situation) and would love some feedback.