I am considering using a doctor in my area who uses the NA procedure. I have not been able to ascertain the level of his training/experience with NA. Can some one advise me if there are serious health risks if an error is made, or is a worse case scenario that it may have to be re done?

Dear Jack,

Your quiry brings was discussed repeatedly in 2004.

1) why qualifications are neccessary to perform NA, and 2) what they should be while NA is not yet formalized in North America. Many many posts are dedicated to these topics but one stands out in my mind, and is called 'Push on for more AP MD training - USA'. If you scroll down to this thread then read it from begining to end you will find Frances puts forth some interesting arguments as to why training/pedigree is important in order to perform NA but ultimately the decision is yours.

Night Hawk

I had NA performed in France by Dr. Badois in 2003.
I have advocated that patients see U.S. hand surgeons
that have minimally "genuflected" at the Lariboisiere
Hospital under the tutelage of Dr. Lermusiaux, who is
credited with developing the procedure into a reliable
and pedictable modality. For many U.S. hand surgeons,
this may be a superfulous step. They know the rudiments
and intricacies of hand anatomy and surical procedure.
Dr. Eaton did not "need" further "training" to perform
NA proceures. His willingness to seek out the experience
available with Dr. Lermusiaux reflects favorably on his
patient care philosophy. "First, do no harm!"
My preference for simularly-trained hand doctors is to
avoid the occasional arrogant know it all or the week-end
golfing seminar attendee, who recognizes a "profit center"
and adds NA to his/her repetoire because of an intuitive
understanding but no case experience. In the U.S. there
are few if any restrictions on M.D.s perforing NA. Hand
surgeons are not a source of worry; it is the few oportunists whose license allows "percutaneous" procedures
absent experience, that oncerns me. At a $1000.00 a digit,
we deserve proper treatment by experts in the field.
Dr. Eaton and his colleagues will establish the protocol
and attendent standards of care so that future patients
can trust that they have not arrived at a "laetrile" type
facility. It is a small risk; however, we all deserve the
best care. The Radiotherapy falls into the same basket.
"Dry skin" sounds innocent; it is the first symptom of
radiation injury. I am not saying it is bad. I just
remember Thalidomide and its after effect. Meanwhile.
NA is predictable and "buys time." I am at two years
and holding. I anticipate repeating NA within the next
two years. Now I have more than one reliable alternative in the U.S.. Germany may be another alternative somewhere
down the road. Everyone needs a tutorial on "Grays."
Radiation Oncology is a good starting point IMHO.