Member Comments are provided by individuals and reflect their personal opinions only. Under NO circumstances should you act on any advice or opinion posted in this forum. ALWAYS check with your personal physician before taking any action regarding your health! MedHelp International and our partners, sponsors and affiliates have no obligation to monitor any comments posted on this site, or the content and/or accuracy of such exchanges. MedHelp International does not endorse the views of any user.
Respiratory Disorders (Expert Forum)
Phrenic Nerve and Heart ByPass Surgery
Answered by
CO
This forum is for questions and support regarding lung and respiratory issues such as: Allergies, Asthma, Bronchitis, Colds - Flu, Chronic Cough, COPD, Cystic Fibrosis, Emphysema, Fibrosis, Lung Abscess, Nasal Polyps, Pleurisy, Pneumonia, Sarcoidosis, Sinusitis, Tuberculosis.
Phrenic Nerve and Heart ByPass Surgery
by Jupton, Aug 27, 2009 07:28PM
On 08-09-09 I had quad bypass surgery. I am a 53 yrs old male nonsmoker.
My diaphragm has not moved back down in place and is keeping my right lung from doing the same because of the phrenic nerve either got damaged or the "cold" operating room . I continue doing my breathing routine and nebulizer treatment but there is no significant progress. I go back to my surgeon and Resp Dr next week.
My question: Will this correct itself in time? What are the dangers to my right lung? Is this something that can be corrected with additional surgery? ( My blood oxygen levels remain good...95%-99%)
Just wanted to know what my options are.
Thank you,
Jack
My diaphragm has not moved back down in place and is keeping my right lung from doing the same because of the phrenic nerve either got damaged or the "cold" operating room . I continue doing my breathing routine and nebulizer treatment but there is no significant progress. I go back to my surgeon and Resp Dr next week.
My question: Will this correct itself in time? What are the dangers to my right lung? Is this something that can be corrected with additional surgery? ( My blood oxygen levels remain good...95%-99%)
Just wanted to know what my options are.
Thank you,
Jack
Doctor's Answer
by National Jewish Health, Aug 31, 2009 02:05PM
, Aug 31, 2009 02:05PMTo: Jupton
Impaired function of the phrenic nerve following cardiac bypass surgery, resulting in diaphragmatic paralysis, is not uncommon; observed in 5-15% of patients undergoing such surgery. Definitive studies have shown this complication to be related to cold-induced injury (cooling of the heart) during myocardial protection strategies and possibly to mechanical injury during internal mammary artery harvesting.
The good news is that, in the majority of cases, function of the nerve and relief of the diaphragmatic paralysis will occur within a year, and often sooner, in the majority of cases. So, yes, it is likely that this condition will “correct itself”. This condition poses no danger to your right lung and the fact that your blood oxygen level remains normal is a very good sign. Even if the nerve function were never to return to normal, you might or might not experience symptoms of shortness of breath or increased work of breathing, depending in part on the health and function of your lungs prior to surgery. Should you have underlying lung disease such as asthma or COPD, this should be treated optimally, before any consideration of additional surgery.
Should function not return and should you remain symptomatic indefinitely, however, there is a surgical technique called Diaphragmatic Plication, that is usually quite effective in relieving symptoms. This surgery should not be considered for at least 6-12 months, unless you are markedly incapacitated by this loss of diaphragmatic function.
You should definitely discuss this, in detail, with your surgeon.
Good luck
The good news is that, in the majority of cases, function of the nerve and relief of the diaphragmatic paralysis will occur within a year, and often sooner, in the majority of cases. So, yes, it is likely that this condition will “correct itself”. This condition poses no danger to your right lung and the fact that your blood oxygen level remains normal is a very good sign. Even if the nerve function were never to return to normal, you might or might not experience symptoms of shortness of breath or increased work of breathing, depending in part on the health and function of your lungs prior to surgery. Should you have underlying lung disease such as asthma or COPD, this should be treated optimally, before any consideration of additional surgery.
Should function not return and should you remain symptomatic indefinitely, however, there is a surgical technique called Diaphragmatic Plication, that is usually quite effective in relieving symptoms. This surgery should not be considered for at least 6-12 months, unless you are markedly incapacitated by this loss of diaphragmatic function.
You should definitely discuss this, in detail, with your surgeon.
Good luck
Jack