Pearls for Starting a Headache Surgery Practice in Academic and Private Practice
M. Saad,
L. Connor,
M.H.J. Hazewinkel,
Z.M. Peled,
R. Hagan,
L. Gfrerer,
S.A. Kassis
Affiliations
M. Saad
Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Department of Plastic Surgery, Nashville, TN
L. Connor
Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Department of Plastic Surgery, Nashville, TN
M.H.J. Hazewinkel
Weill Cornell Medicine, Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, New York, NY
Z.M. Peled
Peled Plastic Surgery, San Francisco, CA
R. Hagan
Neuropax Clinic, St. Louis, MO
L. Gfrerer
Weill Cornell Medicine, Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, New York, NY
S.A. Kassis
Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Department of Plastic Surgery, Nashville, TN; Corresponding author: S.A. Kassis, MD, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Department of Plastic Surgery, 1301 Medical Center Dr Suite 3701, Nashville, TN, 37232
Summary: There has been a growing body of evidence indicative of the effectiveness of headache surgery in treating patients with refractory headache disorders. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons issued a Policy Statement in 2018 stating that peripheral nerve decompression surgery for the treatment of refractory chronic headache disorders in select patients is considered a standard of care treatment. This endorsement sparked the interest of numerous plastic surgeons into initiating their own headache surgery practices. However, establishing a headache surgery clinic introduces challenges and considerations. This report outlines the key pillars for launching a successful headache surgery practice in academic and private practice environments.
