Darren J Poidevin,CPO, LPO
Darren J. Poidevin, CPO, LPO is a Licensed and American Board for Certification accredited Prosthetist and Orthotist. Darren is a graduate of Florida International University with a Bachelor of Science in Prosthetics and Orthotics and has 17 years of experience in patient management programs specializing in pediatrics, cranial remolding orthoses for plagiocephaly, and post-operative intervention for the treatment of craniosynostosis. While previously working with a National P&O provider as the Practice Manager, Darren helped develop and implement the Cranial Program in San Antonio. Darren has trained and lectured across the nation as part of the National Orthotic team and Cranial Division. In addition, Darren has instructed on post-operative cranial remolding treatment for the Endoscopic Treatment of Craniosynostosis sponsored by the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, Division of Neurosurgery and the Plastic Surgery Department. Darren currently serves as the National Clinical Operations Manager for the STAR Cranial Center of Excellence located in San Antonio, working to ensure clinical excellence for multiple centers across the nation. Darren continues to treat patients and lecture nationally, with a specialization in cranial remolding orthoses for cranial abnormalities.
The STAR Cranial Center Of Excellence (SCCE) works closely with the area’s leading pediatric neurosurgeons, craniofacial specialists, and pediatricians to treat patients with a variety of head shape anomalies including deformational plagiocephaly and craniosynostosis. SCCE is accredited by the ABC (American Board for Certification in Orthotics & Prosthetics.) Our clinical staff consists of ABC accredited Orthotists and exclusively offers an unparalleled level of specialized expertise in treating infants with plagiocephaly and craniosynostosis using the latest data acquisition technology, the STARscanner system. The STARscanner was the first scanning system approved by the FDA for the purpose of capturing 3D surface images of an infant’s head shape. The STARscanner uses four Class I “eye-safe” lasers and 8 cameras, which eliminates the need for plaster casting. The digital scanning process is the fastest, most accurate means of capturing the detailed information, taking less than 2 seconds to complete and accurate up to 0.5 mm. The STARscanner also provides a detailed comparison analysis report allowing referring physicians and families to visualize head shape changes before, during, and after treatment . The STARscanner’s efficacy has been documented and published in the highly respected Journal of Craniofacial Surgery.
In San Antonio, Texas Doctors David Jimenez, Professor and Chairman of the Department of Neurosurgery in the School of Medicine at the UT Health Science Center at San Antonio, and Constance M. Barone, MD, FACS, a Plastic Surgeon and Clinical Professor in the Department of Neurosurgery in the School of Medicine at the UT Health Science Center, provide a minimally invasive endoscopic surgical treatment for the congenital abnormality craniosynostosis. I have had the honor and privilege working with Dr. Jimenez and Dr. Barone and hundreds of families from across the world. The STAR Cranial Center of Excellence has become an integral part of the multidisciplinary team and has helped develop the Post-Op Cranial Remolding Orthosis (CRO) protocols for patients being treated with the endoscopic approach for craniosynostosis.
At the SCCE in San Antonio, Texas I utilize the data acquisition of the STARscanner and use the detailed measurements report as a tool to assist in the thorough analysis an infant’s head shape, as well as, to determine the appropriate modifications required in the Post-Operative CRO.
On Wednesdays, we participate in a craniosynostosis clinic, and offer a Pre-Operative evaluation, which includes collecting patient and family histories, a digital scan using the STARscanner, anthropometric measurements, and photographs. A copy of the scan is provided to the families, and then the Post-Operative CRO treatment goals and protocol are discussed with the families. The goal of the Post-Operative CRO, or any CRO, is to reshape the skull by using the infant’s exponential brain growth. The CRO does not restrict brain growth, but with time, will redirect growth into void areas to achieve the desired head shape. A full report is given to Dr. Jimenez at the craniosynostosis clinic and the results and clinical findings are further discussed with the families. Surgeries are scheduled for Thursdays, and patients are typically discharged from the hospital within one to two days. On Monday, the family and the patient visit our STAR Cranial Center of Excellence office for a follow up re-evaluation and scan. The scan is then emailed to Orthomerica, the manufacturer of the CRO, along with an order form detailing the patient’s age, date of endoscopic surgery, involved synostotic suture, measurements and fabrication modifications for the Post-Operative CRO. The fitting of the Post-Operative CRO will be done within the next few days. The fitting of the Post-Operative CRO takes approximately 1 hour, which includes instruction on proper don and doffing, wearing schedules, and skin care and CRO maintenance. The family, patient, and I will again visit with Dr. Jimenez the following Wednesday at the craniosynostosis clinic to re-evaluate the patient and the fit of the Post-Operative CRO.
The patient will typically wear the Post-Operative CRO treatment for one year after surgery. Throughout the year, the patient will continue to check in with Dr. Jimenez and the STAR Cranial Center of Excellence, and depending on the patient’s age and rate of growth, will require an average of three Post-Operative CROs.
In San Antonio, Texas Doctors David Jimenez, Professor and Chairman of the Department of Neurosurgery in the School of Medicine at the UT Health Science Center at San Antonio, and Constance M. Barone, MD, FACS, a Plastic Surgeon and Clinical Professor in the Department of Neurosurgery in the School of Medicine at the UT Health Science Center, provide a minimally invasive endoscopic surgical treatment for the congenital abnormality craniosynostosis. I have had the honor and privilege working with Dr. Jimenez and Dr. Barone and hundreds of families from across the world. The STAR Cranial Center of Excellence has become an integral part of the multidisciplinary team and has helped develop the Post-Op Cranial Remolding Orthosis (CRO) protocols for patients being treated with the endoscopic approach for craniosynostosis.
At the SCCE in San Antonio, Texas I utilize the data acquisition of the STARscanner and use the detailed measurements report as a tool to assist in the thorough analysis an infant’s head shape, as well as, to determine the appropriate modifications required in the Post-Operative CRO.
On Wednesdays, we participate in a craniosynostosis clinic, and offer a Pre-Operative evaluation, which includes collecting patient and family histories, a digital scan using the STARscanner, anthropometric measurements, and photographs. A copy of the scan is provided to the families, and then the Post-Operative CRO treatment goals and protocol are discussed with the families. The goal of the Post-Operative CRO, or any CRO, is to reshape the skull by using the infant’s exponential brain growth. The CRO does not restrict brain growth, but with time, will redirect growth into void areas to achieve the desired head shape. A full report is given to Dr. Jimenez at the craniosynostosis clinic and the results and clinical findings are further discussed with the families. Surgeries are scheduled for Thursdays, and patients are typically discharged from the hospital within one to two days. On Monday, the family and the patient visit our STAR Cranial Center of Excellence office for a follow up re-evaluation and scan. The scan is then emailed to Orthomerica, the manufacturer of the CRO, along with an order form detailing the patient’s age, date of endoscopic surgery, involved synostotic suture, measurements and fabrication modifications for the Post-Operative CRO. The fitting of the Post-Operative CRO will be done within the next few days. The fitting of the Post-Operative CRO takes approximately 1 hour, which includes instruction on proper don and doffing, wearing schedules, and skin care and CRO maintenance. The family, patient, and I will again visit with Dr. Jimenez the following Wednesday at the craniosynostosis clinic to re-evaluate the patient and the fit of the Post-Operative CRO.
The patient will typically wear the Post-Operative CRO treatment for one year after surgery. Throughout the year, the patient will continue to check in with Dr. Jimenez and the STAR Cranial Center of Excellence, and depending on the patient’s age and rate of growth, will require an average of three Post-Operative CROs.
|
|
