Need Pocket Revision

Had my PM replaced 8/8/13. I immediately knew when the original one went into reserved mode. Afib drove me nuts. Just got back from my cardiologist appt. This was the first time he saw the site and he was very upset. Unfortunately, he was away on a family emergency when I went into the hospital and a covering doc did the surgery. Cardio said he sees that the skin, which is very thin, looks like its about to tear. I am a cancer survivor and was left with a nonexistant immune system, that requires me to have monthly infusions to keep me alive. Any break in the skin could potentially be deadly for me re: infection. I am being referred to a University Medical Center for a pocket revision. Not quite sure if they will be able to save the site or I will have to have the entire procedure redone at a different site. Really? Totally mismanaged and negligently handled. Very mad. This will be my 3rd surgery this year and this one is going to be unnecessary.

5 Comments

revision

by Tracey_E - 2013-09-26 09:09:19

They should be able to simply put it where it is but deeper, keep the same leads and just scoot the pm down. We've had several members have that done for the same reason, too close to the skin and risk of erosion.

To be the devils advocate, yours is placed where the vast majority of them are placed. If this is a replacement, did they put it in the same pocket as the old one? That's standard.

good luck! Hopefully it will be an easy fix.

Thanks

by copswidow - 2013-09-27 01:09:49

Appreciate the explanation. Hopefully that will be all that is required. Was lost as to what to expect.
Glad I posted.
Thanks

revision

by Tracey_E - 2013-09-27 03:09:36

The last thing they want to do is put it somewhere else and start over with new leads. They will do everything possible to use the leads you have and keep it in the same general vicinity.

Can you get a plastic surgeon to do it or at least consult? My cause was different but the end result similar, I needed a revision. It got uncomfortable from scar tissue build up after 4 battery changes, and I had a lead gone bad. The ep talked about moving it to the other side and doing 2 new leads but I really really wanted it to stay where it is so he brought in a plastic surgeon. She cleaned up what was there and made it work. That's what they do, make things look and feel good, in your case make it more safe. This would be something rare for an ep to do, but a plastic surgeon deals with worse all the time.

revision

by copswidow - 2013-09-27 03:09:56

I do have a plastic surgeon. April I had extensive cancer surgery repair on my head. He did some amazing work so my forehead and scalp didn't look awful.This was my second run in with cancer. I am a 3 year survivor from stage 4 NHLymphoma. My cardio is very concerned from an immunity point of view and sees that the wires are pressing very hard against already thin and damaged skin. Any possibility that the skin gets any perforation could prove deadly for me even though the PM is still working well. I will have to see this specialist at the university and then see if my plastic can work there as well. I can't thank you enough for the multitude of information you have given me to think about. Being a retired paramedic/traffic homicide investigator and still a first responder instructor for our county fire department volunteer group, I'm always thinking from a different perspective. Medical problems are my specialty, LOL but I found myself stalled on this one.

turnaround

by Tracey_E - 2013-09-27 04:09:31

It's hard to be the patient!

You sound like a survivor, not just that you survived something awful but your determination and will to tackle challenges head on and win. This should be a piece of cake compared to the rest.

Worst case, if it can't stay in your chest, ask Don about abdominal placement. His ended up there after multiple erosion issues and he was very pleasantly surprised how comfortable it is.

You know you're wired when...

You have a maintenance schedule just like your car.

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