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>> Dr. Lawrence Marentette: [Background music] U
of M has one the largest most comprehensive cranial based programs in the country.
Patients obviously are quite scared with their diagnosis.
You can allay their fears when you tell them, "I've done this hundreds of times."
I think the difference that we have in our cranial base program here is that it brings
to the patient not only extensive clinical experience, but also new
and cutting edge research that we offer to them that is not seen
in very many other places around the country.
I think the thing too that is unique about this program is that all specialists work together.
And patients say invariably this is very comforting and very reassuring to them
because they're getting two, three, four, maybe five opinions all at the same time.
We are one of the few places in the United States
who performs this subcranial approach to the front of the skull base.
The important part of it is that you remove the facial bones; you don't make incisions
on the face, you can approach to the tumor without retracting the brain, which minimizes
or eliminates the chance for brain damage.
We've also used techniques with endoscopic assisted open approaches
and endonasal endoscopic approaches.
I think the advantage of using these three approaches is that the length-of-stay is much,
much less than with the traditional craniofacial [inaudible].
It minimizes the need for postoperative rehab time and typically patients go back
to work six weeks after they've had the procedure.
And it's very gratifying to take a patient with a very complicated problem and to correct it.
And I think to see the end result is the most gratifying part of this job.
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