CED Testimonials

December 31, 2003

Stanton Schiffer, M.D.
3868 Mowry Avenue
Fremont, CA.94538.

Dear Dr. Schiffer:

It has been six months since you performed the cervical endoscopic discectomy(“CED”) at level C6-7 of my neck. I am writing this to let you know how well I am doing, and also to share my experience for the benefit of others suffering from a herniated disc..

My problem began in April 2003. After a weekend of constant allergy sneezing, I noticed severe pain in my right shoulder, numbness in the tips of the index and middle fingers of my right hand and a tingling sensation down my right arm. The first doctor I saw thought I had simply pulled a muscle. When my symptoms did not improve, I saw another doctor who first diagnosed bursitis of the shoulder and then, when my symptoms continued, diagnosed carpal tunnel syndrome and suggested I see a neurologist.

The neurologist found that, in addition to the pain and numbness, I had completely lost strength in the tricep of my right arm. He suspected the problem was my neck and ordered an MRI. The pain in my shoulder when I pay flat during the MRI was the most excruciating I have ever experienced. I will never forget how I felt when the neurologist told me that the MRI showed I had a one centimeter disc herniation in my neck and recommended I see a neurosurgeon.

I had good cause for my apprehensions. My husband had experienced disappointing results from two microdiscectomies on the lumbar spine during the past few years. It was his experience that led me to research alternatives using the Internet, and as a result, I learned about you and your CED procedure.

I was not, however, able to find a surgeon in Dallas, or elsewhere in Texas, able to perform this or a similar minimally invasive procedure. The most difficult part of the entire process was obtaining the tests I needed for the CED procedure from a local physician and facing his questions about why I found it necessary to leave Dallas for medical care. I also sensed incredulity on the part of others when I explained what I would be doing and how I found out about this procedure. Without the confidence that I had in you as a result of our conversations prior to the surgery, I am not sure I would have had the resolve to proceed.

My husband and I traveled to the Bay Area on Monday, June 30, 2003 and met you for the first time. You answered all of our questions, carefully reviewed my films with us and fully explained the risks of the surgery. With a leap of faith, I decided to proceed with the surgery the next day.

I was concerned about the level of consciousness I would have during the surgery and, frankly would have opted to be put completely under. All I remember about the surgery itself, however, is at some point hearing you speak with the anesthesiologist and asking me how I felt. The next thing I knew, I was in the recovery room. I soon realized all my symptoms were completely gone – pain, numbness and tingling. By noon, I left the surgical center with a small bandage on my neck, wearing a soft cervical collar and had lunch with my husband. Back at the hotel I was able to work, as well as call my family and coworkers. We flew home after seeing you the next day. By the following Monday, I was back at the office full-time. I strictly followed your post-op instructions and have had no recurrence of symptoms.

As a woman, I would like to add a word about my concerns with respect to scarring. With a microdiscectomy, I was told I could expect
a _ - 1 inch incision on the front of my neck. With the CED procedure, however, the day I returned to work, I wore a neckline below the collarbone and had to point to the place on my neck where the endoscope was inserted. The tiny mark that there was there is now completely gone. Whenever I talk about the surgery, I still like to show people where it was (whether they ask or not).

Please accept my deepest gratitude for what you have done for me. I believe the CED procedure and the techniques you have developed are the better choice for many people. Best wishes for the New Year..

Very truly yours,

Linda M. Merritt