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SHREWSBURY, NJ – Monmouth Medical
Center today announced that in a highly rare procedure, a paraplegic
received a nerve grafting to relieve life-altering posterior
pressure ulcers. The surgery was performed by a New Jersey medical
team under the direction of Dr. Andrew Elkwood. World-renowned
in the field of nerve transplantation, Dr. Elkwood utilized his
expertise in a way that can be life-altering for paraplegics
worldwide whose lives are subjugated by acute posterior sores.
During the procedure, which took place on January 13th, doctors
took nerves from the patient’s paralyzed leg and grafted
from the rib to the sciatic nerve. Dr. Elkwood and Dr.
Russell Ashinoff, who helped lead the surgery, are intending
for the procedure to restore sensation in the patient’s
posterior and prevent acute pressure ulcers –a common side
effect associated with paraplegics that can relegate otherwise
highly-functional handicapped people to be bedridden. The surgery
was performed on 49-year-old Tory Cavalieri, who became paralyzed
after breaking his spinal cord in a dirt bike accident ten years
ago.
“Nerve transplants have shown incredible success in helping
restore movement in paralyses caused by accidents, strokes and
other medical tragedies,” said Dr. Elkwood. “We are
encouraged by initial results of last week’s procedure,
as this surgery has the potential to improve the lives of the
tens of thousands of handicapped patients who are affected by
these acute pressure ulcers.”
Dr. Elkwood is part of the medical team, which is comprised
of a group of surgeons who are highly skilled in nerve transplantation
and advanced reconstruction. They perform a number of unique
operations to help patients suffering from life-altering medical
conditions who are often unaware that a treatment is available.
Conditions treated include:
- Paralysis resulting from accidents and strokes
- Diabetic Neuropathy
- Paralyzed diaphragm/ventilator-based breathing
- Facial Reanimation
For more information about nerve transplant surgery at Monmouth
Medical Center, call 1-888-724-7123 or visit mmc.barnabashealth.org.
Date: January 21, 2009
CONTACT: Kristine A. Brown
Director of Public Relations
732-557-3902
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