So finally I encountered doctors (maxillofacial surgeons) who knew quite a bit about Eagle Syndrome, who looked at my CT and understood that those styloids cause pain, who took me seriously and realised the need to remove those villains, and what did they offer?
I thought I was well prepared, but I had never before heard of Da Vinci Surgery Robot.
So I was offered to have my villains removed intraorally, if I wish both at the same time, but not completely to the skull base. He would chop them to the joint close to skull base.
So contrary to what seems to be the consensus of what is the best approach to the surgery.
I already dug through this forum about case reports with Da Vinci /robotic surgery, but its very few in comparison with âconventionalâ sugery. ANd even studies concerning TORS on Eagles are very few. (It seemed like maybe around 30 cases, if I sum up the patients numbers in those studies?)
I found zero reports of TORS Eagles in GermanyâŚ
Any kind of advice or information pointers etc⌠is so welcome
Youâre right that weâve not had many members have this method of surgery, as far as Iâm aware those who have say the outcome was good⌠Itâs a bit concerning if the translation is correct that they would be chopped at the joint close to the skull base; what joint? The styloids can develop/ elongate with a joint-like appearance, otherwise usually the only âjointâ is if the stylo-hyoid ligament calcifies at the end of the styloid, in which case the styloid might not be shortened⌠That said, even surgeons who remove the styloids to the skull base weâve found donât always do this, sometimes itâs because itâs too risky, quite often because nerves are too close to safely cut the styloid.
I guess all I can suggest really is that you try & talk to your doctor about how many surgeries heâs performed, and what the outcomes of those surgeries was, and try to pin him down to a more accurate measurement if you like of how much will be removed and how much will be left, and if heâs able to smooth off or ensure a smooth tip to the styloid which is left⌠Itâs so hard when you have very little choice in who you have surgery with, it would be good if you could have a second opinion with another doctorâŚ
How encouraging to have found doctors who understand the problems elongated styloids cause but discouraging that they donât understand the need to shorten them as much as possible. @Jules has given you very good advice regarding questions to ask & even to consider getting a second opinion, perhaps from one of the other maxillofacial surgeons since you mentioned there are more than one. Youâve researched for a doctor so thoroughly, it would be nice if one of these doctors could do the surgery you need so you could begin healing & recovering.
