Minimally Invasive Surgery for Chronic Pain Management (eBook)

This book presents the essential steps involved in diagnosing and treating pain due to peripheral nerve injury and compression. In the first chapter, the relevant anatomy and diagnostic tools to identify peripheral-nerve-related issues are described. The main part of the book, however, deals with the surgical techniques to address specific types of peripheral nerve pain, e.g. neuroma, thoracic outlet or migraine. A step-by-step, practical approach is provided, including important aspects to consider both       pre- and post-op. The procedures presented are minimally-invasive and maximally effective. Each chapter features detailed surgical illustrations and anatomical images.

Chronic pain control is a growing need and minimally invasive yet effective surgical techniques, combining the competences of neurosurgery, plastic surgery, orthopedics, general surgery, pain management and neurology are in high demand. The increasing demand on the part of patients suffering from neuropathic pain is to date not matched by adequate practical training in peripheral nerve surgery to control pain. The authors are experts in this discipline 'from head to toe' and present a valuable guide that provides medical students and experienced clinicians alike with useful information for their daily practice.

Dr. Giorgio Pietramaggiori received his medical degree (2003) and his PhD (2007) from the University of Padua, Italy, working several years in the Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, USA under the supervision of Dr. Dennis Orgill. From 2007 to 2008, he was a postdoctoral fellow at the Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Switzerland in biophysics. Currently, dr. Pietramagiori continues his academic career as a visiting professor in the university of Padua, Italy, and he is medical director of a private clinic in Lausanne focused on peripheral nerve surgery to control pain. Dr. Pietramaggiori is a member of the American Society for Peripheral Nerve Surgery (ASPN), the Swiss Society of Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery (SSCPRE), and the European Board of Plastic Surgery (EBOPRAS). He has authored or co-authored more than 30 journal articles, deposited several patents and won several awards for his clinical and scientific achievements.

Dr. Saja Scherer received her medical degree from the Medical School in Leipzig, Germany, in 2005. Subsequently, she worked more than 2 years at the Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, USA.  She completed her training in plastic surgery in Germany and Switzerland, to specialize in peripheral nerve microsurgery. Currently, Dr. Scherer is a Visiting Professor at the University of Padua, Italy as well as owner of a private clinic in Lausanne, Switzerland, together with Dr. Pietramaggiori. Dr. Scherer is a member of the American Society for Peripheral Nerve (ASPN), the Swiss society of plastic and aesthetic surgery (SSCPRE), and the European Board of Plastic Surgery (EBOPRAS). She published more than 20 scientific articles in national and international journals and won several awards for her work.