Surgery for Zoe

Two Different Kinds

Thursday, October 3, 2013, Zoe was taken down to surgery...again.

First she was placed under anesthesia for a general exam for both glaucoma and follow up for her laser eye surgery.  She had three surgeons poking around in her eyes while I patiently waited in the surgical waiting room for word on how extensive her glaucoma surgery would be...I never expected what I heard...

Dr. Mooney came out to inform me that in fact Zoe did appear to have congenital glaucoma requiring a goniotomy in both eyes.  Unfortunately, Dr. Iezzi, upon his examination of Zoe's retinas (follow up from the laser surgery), showed the initial beginnings of retinal detachment.  Talk about a punch in the gut!  But more to that later...

Dr. Mooney and Dr. Sit (glaucoma specialist) went back into Zoe and performed a goniotomy on both eyes.  Additionally, Dr. Sit diagnosed Zoe with angle closure glaucoma in the left eye. 

http://www.surgeryencyclopedia.com/Fi-La/Iridectomy.html

As a result, Dr. Sit performed an iridectomy.  He removed a small portion of Zoe's iris on her left eye.  It's been explained to us we will never be able to tell unless Zoe opens her eyes really wide (which she tends to do). 

Overall the glaucoma surgeries were a success.  Small victory numbers 1 and 2 for the day. 

After Zoe's glaucoma surgeries and before she was brought back upstairs, Dr. Ishitani performed hernia surgery on Zoe!  Zoe had an inguinal hernia, which required surgery before going home, and timing worked out for Dr. Ishitani to piggy back onto her eye surgery. 

Dr. Ishitani prepared the hernia on her left side and explored her right side to confirm there was no hernia there as well.  Post op note:  Dr. Ishitani cut designs into her dressings to cover her incisions.  He cut her a puppy (for Gus) and a star (because she is a rockstar).  Dr. Ishitani is wonderful and I trust him 100% with the girls. 

Back to the retinal detachment...

Remember Zoe underwent laser eye surgery weeks ago to protect her eyes due to her advancing ROP disease.  Unfortunately, a very small number of patients who under laser treatment will still suffer a retinal detachment and Zoe has fallen into this category.

Dr. Iezzi identified a level 4A retinal detachment (4A is the smallest detachment as opposed to a 4B or 5).  If the retina detaches Zoe could lose her vision entirely.  Accordingly, Dr. Iezzi made numerous phone calls while Zoe was undergoing her glaucoma procedures to arrange for another surgery for Zoe.

Unfortunately the retinal detachment surgeries are not performed at Mayo Clinic.  There are eight surgeons in the country who perform retinal detachment surgeries are babies of Zoe's size.  One just so happened to be located at Children's Hospital in the Cities - Just so happens though, he was on vacation for a week and a half.  Zoe could not wait a week and a half.

Thankfully, Dr. Iezzi is friends with Dr. Trese, the top retina specialist in the country.  Of the eight surgeons (including himself) he has trained 6 of them!  Dr. Trese, however, is located in Michigan...

Dr. Trese agreed to take Zoe's case and scheduled her for surgery on Monday morning (October 7).  Surgery was scheduled before transport was even arranged...yes Zoe has to go to Michigan.