Posted by Mike Ware on December 05, 2002 at 14:28:05:
In Reply to: Re: Mini Maze posted by FRANK on December 05, 2002 at 12:29:37:
Frank, ask your doctor a lot of questions before you proceed. Make sure you understand EXACTLY what he is going to do. Ask him about how many mini mazes he has performed in total. Also, ask him how many mini mazes he has performed that will be exactly like yours (not similar, but exactly, in terms of techniques, protocols, instruments, etc). Ask him what percent of his patients had successful outcomes in general and specifically for the exact procedure he intends to perform on you. Ask him how he defines success.
Ask him to detail all the risks. Ask him how many people he has performed the mini maze that have experienced any these risks as a result of the procedure.
Get a second opinion from Dr Hammer at Cleveland Clinic.
With respect to ablations, there is a very strong correlation between the number of ablations a doctor has performed and the success rate (data from NASPE Conference 2002 in San Diego). I would expect the same to be true for mini mazes. Research other doctors who perform the same procedure, and also other potential cures, then compare success rates and risks then decide.
Wishing you well, Mike
- Re: Mini Maze Carl Plaskett 20:03:23 12/05/2002 (0)