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[bit of a chicken]

Hello everyone, can any one tell me how many open heart operations a person can safely undergo in their lifetime ? Just thought this is interesting as I haev no idea ! thanks , bit of a chicken, bicuspid valve, not yet needing relpacement and coarctation, repaired !

 

[ALCapshaw2]

Welcome Aboard B.o.C. !

We have members who have had 4 and maybe even a few with 5 OHS procedures under their shirt.

Since you have a BAV you would probably benefit from browsing in the Bicuspid Aortic Valve and Connective Tissue Disorder Forum. Also the Pre-Surgery and Post-Surgery Forums. Then you may want to check out the Valve Selection Forum (and Anti-Coagulation Forum if you choose a Mechanical Valve). Be sure the read the informative "sticky's" at the top of the list for each Forum.

That should keep you busy for a while but it will also let you see that we've all "Been There, Done That" and are still here to tell about it!

Feel free to ask ANY Questions as they come to mind.

'AL Capshaw'

 

[gf1962]

I had three well 2and a half. The first one was in April 2002 replacement of a BAV diagnosed when I was 17. Surgery at age 40. (Not bad). The went back to doc for a clearance note to go back to work found that mitral valve comprimised to to the heart returning to a more normal size. Replacement on June 6, 2008. Chest tubes clogged with blood on June 8, 2008. Surgery number 3. They just had to snip the wires spread the ribs and drain fluid in operating room about 90 min.

I am still alive and kicking.

 

[kfay]

I have only had two, but as others have said, there are several on here who have had four. I can tell you that my surgeon said to me that with each additional one, your survival rate goes down approximately 5%. I think they have gotten so good at all of this, but with re-ops they have to deal with scar tissue and other issues, so if you are going to be looking at re-ops in your future, it is important to find a surgeon who has a lot of experience doing them. This was important for me to know because I have a tissue valve and am looking at at least two more surgeries in my life.

Kim

 

[abbanabba]

I remember someone on another forum who had had 7!! I don't think she was that old either. I guess is also depends on each individual and how their body copes with surgery.

 

[gijanet]

Katie's had five. We pray that's it for a very long time. I think Niki (gnusgal) has had seven. J.

 

[Nancy]

So much depends on your overall health. It seems to me that those who have had open heart surgeries as a young child, who end up having many more of them, have better results with reops usually.

My husband needed a 4th open heart surgery, but no surgeon would do it, and one stating frankly that he wouldn't make it off the table.

Joe had several serious comorbidities, and I did understand why no one wanted to do another in his case. In addition to that he was in his early seventies. So he was treated medically to minimize symptoms.

But there are several here who have had 4 and more.

 

[bit of a chicken]

Thanks everyone !!
Alcapshaw 2. thanks I am working my way around the forums...
All this info is great. Katie's mum, good luck wth your little girl, I am sending you my good wishes. Abbanabba, glad you are recovering well ! I am thinking you are alll pretty amazing and proof our bodies can cope with rather more than we may think, merry xmas to you all, thanks for the information !! Bit of a chicken

 

[Ross]

That's one of the great unknowns. The answer can be 0 to 7. I've never heard of more then 7 and usually, no more then 5.

 

[Lynlw]

Hi, My son Justin is 20 and has had 5 OHS so far. He also had his entire sternum opened (but no bypass) for his post op sternal and below sternum infection. He will need more surgery (ies) in the future, but hopefully by the time he needs his next one that will have a tissue engineered Valve/conduit since he has problems building alot of scar tissue inside.
I read an interesting summary of a study the other day about redos. (the whole article not avail yet as far as I could see)http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/...nel.Pubmed_DefaultReportPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum
Repeat sternotomy in congenital heart surgery: no longer a risk factor.CONCLUSIONS: Repeat sternotomy can represent a negligible risk of injury and of subsequent morbidity or mortality. Therefore, the choice of management strategies for patients should not be affected by the need for RS.


Of course this is a Congenital Heart center so the surgeons and staff have TON of experience in patients that need multiple surgeries, since some of the repairs involve 2 or 3 staged surgeries in the childs first year.

 

[Lynlw]

That is a very interesting study that does not take into account the amount of scar tissue once access has been established. It can be hard to access what is what with a lot of scar tissue. The risk of more heart surgeries is still there and the low risk in that study could potentially be due to the surgical skill of their surgeons and should not be counted as an overall estimate. A large, multicenter trial would be more appropriate. At this time, there isn't a whole lot of statistics nationwide as a whole as to the risks of pediatric cardiac surgery. Certain partnerships are in the planning though.

Sadly I know the problems with scar tissue. Justin's heart/conduit is right below his sternum and his past 2 surgeries his heart was fused to his sternum. It is such a relief to hear the surgeon is working on his heart and to know he was open with no major problems. Thank God for CHD surgeons with lots of experience. His last surgery they used his fem for bypass, because of his issues.