Wells to undergo surgery Monday

03/01/2006
BRADENTON -- Pirates right-hander Kip Wells will have surgery Monday to restore circulation to his throwing arm.
After being examined Saturday in St. Louis by renowned vascular surgeon Dr. Robert Thompson and diagnosed with a complete blockage of the axillary artery, Wells and his agent contacted several surgeons. Wells considered his options before deciding to undergo a procedure during which his axillary artery will be replaced by a vein taken from his leg.
"[Thompson] is very experienced in what he is dealing with. Everyone confirmed that his diagnosis is what it is," said Wells, who spoke to reporters Tuesday for the first time since the diagnosis. "We have exhausted pretty much all of the options as far as [experts] are concerned."
The transplanted vein will extend from Wells' chest down the length of his arm, and it will be longer than the artery it is replacing.
"They'll add a little bit of length to the existing problem to alleviate the strain that might be put on the area," said Wells.
Until the operation is performed, it won't be known if Wells will need to have the top rib of his right side removed to alleviate pressure on the affected area. Thompson performed similar procedures on Arizona outfielder Luis Terrero in 2003 and Colorado right-hander Aaron Cook in '04.
"They have narrowed down the problem quite a bit. But there still could be a spectrum of things that could be in there," Wells explained. "Until they get in there and find out the severity of the injury, it's really tough to say much, as far as the details of what it is going to require."
The blood clot that formed under Wells' right arm pit was likely caused by the rubbing of Wells' humerus bone against his axillary artery. According to Wells, the irritation led to a buildup of scar tissue, which in turn narrowed the width of the artery.
Wells has been bothered by circulation problems in his right hand for two years. He underwent carpal tunnel surgery after the 2004 season in an effort to restore feeling to his throwing hand. In 2005, Wells struggled with erratic command and went 8-18 with a 5.09 ERA and a National League-leading 99 walks in 33 starts.
Wells, however, is not sure if the current condition is related to his past circulation problems.
"I don't know if it has been building for the last three years, six months or 15 years, or if little pieces of blood clots have gotten into my arm and that's why my hand, the circulation has been slowing down," said Wells.
"Hopefully when they open me up, they'll be able to say this is something that has been building. For me to say that this has had a direct impact on my career the last few years, I don't know if that is a fair assessment."
Wells cautioned that the surgery might not necessarily be a "cure-all" for his circulation issues.
"But this is a problem that needs to be fixed," he said. "We'll move forward from here."
No timetable will be set on Wells' return to the mound until the surgery is performed.
"The amount of time it takes me to get back could vary. It will be Monday afternoon before we know," said Wells. "Rather than set ourselves up for a letdown, let's just wait until [Thompson] gets in there and looks at it."
Wells concedes that even in the best of circumstances, he'll likely miss at least the first two months of the upcoming season.
"Obviously it's saddening to know that I'm going to miss out on the first part of the season, at least," said Wells.
"Whatever it is, it's too much for me. I came in here ready to go, I'd been throwing well and then this kind of thing happens. It's just frustrating.
"You've just got to deal with it and get as prepared as you can to return and hope for a speedy recovery and hope that by the time I get back, we're still in position that I can help us accomplish some things."
Pirates general manager Dave Littlefield on Wednesday reiterated his stance Wells' replacement will come from a pool of internal candidates that includes right-handers Ian Snell, Ryan Vogelsong and Victor Santos and left-handers Sean Burnett and Tom Gorzelanny.
"It's no different than yesterday," said Littlefield. "Nothing's changed."

Source: http://pittsburgh.pirates.mlb.com/