surgery involving lungs??
surgery involving lungs??
hey all.....I have a question regarding my boyfriend's next surgery which was scheduled for Aug. 13th, but has now been canceled due to questions and concerns. He was due to have the graciles muscles taken out of both legs and inserted into the shoulder and bicep area. Besides this his surgeon was going to "unplug" one of his lungs and use nerves or something, does anyone know anything about this procedure? We were told it would effect his lung use so he decided to cancel his surgery because he is scared that in the future God forbid something was to happen to the one remaining working lung he'd be in trouble. We have faxed a list of questions to the doctor and we're waiting for a meeting to further discuss this matter, but I was wondering if anyone else has undergone this "unplugging" procedure and could better explain it. We asked questions at our last visit when we booked his surgery, but afterwards he really starting to get nervous and now is considering not doing it. I'd appreciate any help you could give us. Thank you. ~Dawna~
Re: surgery involving lungs??
Hi Dawna,
I'm happy to answer your questions, as it sounds as if this is the same procedure that was done for my teenage son last year: both gracilus muscle/tendons taken out of his legs, a phrenic nerve from his lung (as well as contralateral C7 & four intercostal nerves to also innervate muscles & provide sensation). Sounds like a lot, but then with all 5 nerves avulsed the doctors had their work cut out for them.
I expect you have two categories of questions: did the procedures work & has there been muscle return, and also were there any negative consequences to the "donor" sites.
First, the surgeries were successful. From being totally paralyzed, John can now bend his elbow & bring his arm to his chest, and make/release a grip with his hand. The primary task before him now is continued therapy to build strength in these muscles -which can take a couple more years. Not only does John have movement in his arm/hand, the nerve regrowth has caused tremendous relief from pain. From initially being on 3600 Neurontin, 200 Topomax & 100 Amitriptyline daily, John is now just taking 600 Neurontin & 25 Topomax a day. The mental fuzziness from the strong meds is also decreasing.
In terms of recovery for the donor sites, all has also been fine. John's was the first phrenic surgery done at Mayo (Feb '03) so I was a bit nervous - especially as he was & is still a competitive athlete. We learned that the surgery would cause a partial collapse of one lung - but also that many people lose use of their phrenic nerve & never even realize it. After the surgery, John was still able to ride his bike extensively (i.e. century rides - 100 miles in a day), also ride up a NC mountain, and he still races. There was a very small chance he might have had shortness of breath after exertion, but John didn't fall into that small group & hasn't had any negative consequences.
I think part of the appeal of the phrenic is that it's a strong "24/7" nerve, and also it has some good length to it that then enables it to be positioned closer to the target muscle - so innervation is sooner.
Since he doesn't ride horses, John doesn't "miss" the gracilis muscles donated from his legs. Full strength also has returned to his good arm from which a portion of the C7 nerve was transferred.
Hope this helps. Feel free to post any other questions or even email me direct.
Take care,
Ellen
I'm happy to answer your questions, as it sounds as if this is the same procedure that was done for my teenage son last year: both gracilus muscle/tendons taken out of his legs, a phrenic nerve from his lung (as well as contralateral C7 & four intercostal nerves to also innervate muscles & provide sensation). Sounds like a lot, but then with all 5 nerves avulsed the doctors had their work cut out for them.
I expect you have two categories of questions: did the procedures work & has there been muscle return, and also were there any negative consequences to the "donor" sites.
First, the surgeries were successful. From being totally paralyzed, John can now bend his elbow & bring his arm to his chest, and make/release a grip with his hand. The primary task before him now is continued therapy to build strength in these muscles -which can take a couple more years. Not only does John have movement in his arm/hand, the nerve regrowth has caused tremendous relief from pain. From initially being on 3600 Neurontin, 200 Topomax & 100 Amitriptyline daily, John is now just taking 600 Neurontin & 25 Topomax a day. The mental fuzziness from the strong meds is also decreasing.
In terms of recovery for the donor sites, all has also been fine. John's was the first phrenic surgery done at Mayo (Feb '03) so I was a bit nervous - especially as he was & is still a competitive athlete. We learned that the surgery would cause a partial collapse of one lung - but also that many people lose use of their phrenic nerve & never even realize it. After the surgery, John was still able to ride his bike extensively (i.e. century rides - 100 miles in a day), also ride up a NC mountain, and he still races. There was a very small chance he might have had shortness of breath after exertion, but John didn't fall into that small group & hasn't had any negative consequences.
I think part of the appeal of the phrenic is that it's a strong "24/7" nerve, and also it has some good length to it that then enables it to be positioned closer to the target muscle - so innervation is sooner.
Since he doesn't ride horses, John doesn't "miss" the gracilis muscles donated from his legs. Full strength also has returned to his good arm from which a portion of the C7 nerve was transferred.
Hope this helps. Feel free to post any other questions or even email me direct.
Take care,
Ellen
Re: surgery involving lungs??
Ellen, Thank you so much for responding. The information you supplied was exactly what he needed I can't thank you enough. Sounds like the surgery is a successful one which he should definitely consider doing. Yesterday, the 27th, was his one year "anniversary" from his motorcycle accident and he's hanging in. Glad to hear your son has had such success. Once again thank you. ~Dawna~