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Heart Disease (Expert Forum)
Phrenic Nerve Paralysis
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Phrenic Nerve Paralysis
by hazu, Jun 26, 2001 12:00AM
My aunt had a marathon bypass surgery a week ago that lasted 18 hours. I don't have all the details as to why it went so long, but there appear to be some postoperative complications with her diaphragm. It appears that her phrenic nerve is experiencing some extended paralysis as a result of her surgery. I have been reading up on this condition, but have not found any information concerning treatment for it, other than time. It is my understanding that my aunt has a good chance for recovery over a two to three year period. Are there any treatments, traditional or alternative, that may assist my aunt in healing this phrenic nerve paralysis?
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-M.D.-CRC, Jun 27, 2001 12:00AM
I had a condition where my phrenic diaphram was 'stretched' and paralyzed. I underwent surgery and the diaphram was slit and a 'tuck' taken in it. This allowed my internal organs (liver, colon, etc.) to be placed in their proper locations instead of against my heart. My diaphram is still paralyzed, and will always be. The end result is that I can not forceable exhale from my right lung. With my pacemaker, I am still able to bike, swim, run, lift weights, and play golf. My times are slower, but that is mostly due to the PM.
The paralyzed phrenic diphram should cause no noticeable problems for your aunt.
We only use a portion of our lung capacity anyway.