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Medical Forum / Diseases and Disorders / Sinusitis / February 2004

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Too many surgeries

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Julie - 19 Feb 2004 03:34 GMT
I have been a chronic sinusitis sufferer since I was 7. I am now 21.
In that time I have had 6 surgeries. I am about to go in for my 7th
surgery in another month. I suppose I have gotten used to it now. But
I wonder if there is anyone out there like me who has had multiple
surgeries. If you are one of those people please respond cause I feel
very alone in all this. Thanks.
ARoberts - 19 Feb 2004 05:29 GMT
> I have been a chronic sinusitis sufferer since I was 7. I am now 21.
> In that time I have had 6 surgeries. I am about to go in for my 7th
> surgery in another month. I suppose I have gotten used to it now. But
> I wonder if there is anyone out there like me who has had multiple
> surgeries. If you are one of those people please respond cause I feel
> very alone in all this. Thanks.

I've had four, but never have gotten "used to it" by any measure.  At least
I have an unsurpassed ENT, so I know that I am in good hands when I have to
have the surgery.  Techniques are always improving, especially in
image-guided approaches.  I hope that you have that option available as well
as a surgeon with whom you are comfortable.  Good luck--this time could be
the charm that gets you some long-term relief (you have to look at it that
way).
Don Brady - 19 Feb 2004 06:09 GMT
>I've had four, but never have gotten "used to it" by any measure.  At least
>I have an unsurpassed ENT, so I know that I am in good hands when I have to
>have the surgery.  Techniques are always improving, especially in
>image-guided approaches.  I hope that you have that option available as well
>as a surgeon with whom you are comfortable.

Image guidance actually makes little difference to the result - it just reduces
the risk of the surgeon's getting lost in there (which is not suppseod to
happen anyway but very rarely can....).
ARoberts - 19 Feb 2004 07:14 GMT
> >I've had four, but never have gotten "used to it" by any measure.  At least
> >I have an unsurpassed ENT, so I know that I am in good hands when I have to
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
> the risk of the surgeon's getting lost in there (which is not suppseod to
> happen anyway but very rarely can....).

Um, getting "lost" around the optic nerve or causing a CSF leak (though that
can be patched pretty easily) can make a difference in the result.  Why
would you think that being able to better visualize the field would not
yield a higher probability of positive outcomes?  In the case of patients
with previous revision, the anatomical landmarks can be significantly
altered, and being able to successfully navigate those structures can
minimize bleeding and allow more judicious excision. This can allow faster
healing and less discomfort for the patient.  Of course, the final
determinant is the skill and experience of the surgeon, but this can be a
powerful tool.
Don Brady - 19 Feb 2004 17:54 GMT
>getting "lost" around the optic nerve or causing a CSF leak (though that
>can be patched pretty easily) can make a difference in the result.  Why
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
>determinant is the skill and experience of the surgeon, but this can be a
>powerful tool.

"Can be" is quite accurate.

As you say, if you are having revision surgery done, it is an easier call to
use it.

But I was told by a prominent surgeon that the technology currently has an
accuracy that is only within 3 mm.    Sometimes, he said, that is not accurate
enough!

It definitely has its place, but people just get carried away and think it it
is a panacea and that it  should be used for "all" sinus surgery.
Steven Litvintchouk - 19 Feb 2004 15:53 GMT
>>I have been a chronic sinusitis sufferer since I was 7. I am now 21.
>>In that time I have had 6 surgeries. I am about to go in for my 7th
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
>
> I've had four, but never have gotten "used to it" by any measure.  

Julie and ARoberts,
I'm curious:  How do you know when it's time for your next surgery?  Is
it based on symptoms, or what a routine CT scan shows?

I'm thinking of asking for a 2nd surgery since the 1st surgery left one
pair of ethmoids untouched and ever since I've had what appear to be
ethmoid symptoms.

-- Steven L.
Julie - 20 Feb 2004 07:10 GMT
Well for me it was the constant sinus infections and the cold's.
Everyone catches a few things from time to time. But when the pattern
starts to change and I start getting sick every other week which is
what its like now for me I began to ask myself what is going on here.
Then if you are unfortunate enough to get any horrible sinus pain
associated with it, including the intervals you are well you know you
are headed for trouble. But everyone has their own symtoms. You should
discuss things with your doctor. In fact, it might be a good idea to
keep a journal and write in it how you feel each day keeping note of
the syptoms you get. I could help your doctor out a lot. Hope that
helps.

> >>I have been a chronic sinusitis sufferer since I was 7. I am now 21.
> >>In that time I have had 6 surgeries. I am about to go in for my 7th
[quoted text clipped - 14 lines]
>
> -- Steven L.
Dali - 19 Feb 2004 15:00 GMT
All Ent Dr's are good at in my experience is surgery. The question to
ask is why are you having all theses surgeries? My Top sinuses have
been completely removed because they were nothing but scar tissue. The
cause is from a bacteria called srep pyogene which produces toxins
capable of destroying a sinus. Inflamation can be due to an infection!
Most ENT's will call it normal swelling. There are other bacteria
which can cause severe sinus problems. Lyme for one which I tested
positive for. Good Infection Disease Dr's may help but there are few
out there. I recently called a ID Dr who said he did not do Lyme.
Thats pathetic! Like a math teacher not doing division. Good luck.

>I have been a chronic sinusitis sufferer since I was 7. I am now 21.
>In that time I have had 6 surgeries. I am about to go in for my 7th
>surgery in another month. I suppose I have gotten used to it now. But
>I wonder if there is anyone out there like me who has had multiple
>surgeries. If you are one of those people please respond cause I feel
>very alone in all this. Thanks.
 
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