Chairman Tom Worthan to Undergo Aneurysm Surgery

Douglas County Board of Commissioners Chairman Tom Worthan announced today that he will undergo neurosurgery on June 11 to alleviate an aneurysm, according to a press release from the County. The surgery will be performed by Dr. Daniel L. Barrow, Chief of the Neurosurgery Service at Emory University Hospital/Bowman Professor and Chairman of the Department of Neurosurgery. The surgery will occur at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta.

The surgery is a routine procedure performed often at Emory, and consists of clamping the aneurysm, a procedure that Dr. Barrow has successfully performed over a thousand times. Chairman Worthan sought medical attention after experiencing migraine-type headaches, and a cerebral angiography identified the AVM abnormality.  An AVM (arteriovenous malformation) is an abnormal connection between arteries and veins, bypassing the capillary system. AVMs are usually congenital - a condition existing at or soon after birth - and in most cases have no symptoms.

Dr. Barrow anticipates that Worthan will be hospitalized for three to four days and will need rest for about two weeks after leaving the hospital. Worthan will be ambulatory and fully functional during his recovery, and plans to be in his Courthouse office part-time during the recommended full recovery time of four to five weeks.

Chairman Worthan’s monthly “Chat with the Chairman”, scheduled for Fire Station No. 6 on Monday, June 17, will be hosted by Douglas County Communications Director Wes Tallon on the Chairman’s behalf.

Chairman Worthan anticipates a successful surgical procedure and a full recovery, and asks for the good wishes and prayers of the citizens of the County for himself and his family during this time.