Cranioplasty Update

Once again Jaden proves that she can handle anything. Less than three hours after finally being admitted for surgery (which started 4 hours later than scheduled) surgery was complete and Jaden was recovering in the OR recovery room.

Doc says bone flap looks good and Mom should be able to take her home in a couple days. He tested both the bone flap and CSF fluids from the shunt for infections and removed some metal plates from her August cranioplasty since the bone flap appears to be mending back together well enough and these metal pieces increase risk of infection. They will continue to monitor the flap situation to verify that blood is getting to the area. If not, the area could die off resulting in either her becoming a brain-eating zombie or needing a replacement synthetic flap. (I’m told the zombie situation is highly unlikely but what do doctors really know.)

She has another MRI scheduled in April and then every 3 months after that.

In addition to tests and removing some metal,

Doc also shaved the skull bone down

He had to use a “good amount of sutures” to pull skin back together for the area of the burr hole that had very thin skin.

Doc also made a 5-6in incision along old incision to “get in there”

This was his first time really seeing Jaden’s brain so he wanted to get in there while it was open and do whatever it is a brain doc does when he exams brains.

[I can’t say I fully understand how this whole “neurosurgeon” thing works (or why someone chooses this profession) but at least he appears to be meticulous and dedicated.]

Jaden will have stitches for about 3 weeks and will follow up with the neurosurgeon in 6 weeks.