Electrocautery and pacemaker

I just did a search on this site on the subject above. Response was there are “no matches” on this site.

Has anyone had personal experience with a pacemaker and use of electrosurgery during a surgical procedure ? I’d like to know

1.) Did you have to get a device check beforehand ?

2.) What was done to your PM during the surgery, if anything.

3.) My surgeon said my cardiologist/EP would be asked to clear me in advance and possibly be present in the operating room.

Also I’m not pacemaker dependent, but pacing about 25% of the time at last check. Surgery will be in the abdominal area.

Thanks !

5 Comments

Try as follows ….

by Gemita - 2021-06-04 16:33:34

Dixie Chick 65,  

Try a general search using your web browser:  Pacemaker Club Electrosurgery and you will find several links on this.  Let me know if you don't succeed and I will help.  

https://www.pacemakerclub.com/message/24123/electrosurgery

https://www.pacemakerclub.com/message/2157/diathermy

Good luck

 

 

electrocautery

by Tracey_E - 2021-06-04 17:16:49

The surgeon needs to talk to your ep/cardiologist. The pacemaker needs to be monitored and put into a different mode any time we have anesthesia. I don't think we can have electrocautery but there may be exceptions. 

Electrocautery and PM

by Dixie Chick 65 - 2021-06-04 18:33:08

Thanks, Gemita. I tried a regular Google search and found those you linked. I’ve never had any luck doing a search of the Pacemaker Club website ! 

My doctor didn’t really seem worried about it but I am ! It’s not until August and my EP will have the final word.

Thanks, Tracy_E

I agree about the search facility

by Gemita - 2021-06-04 19:33:07

Yes Dixie Chick 65, I always use the general web browser and type in "Pacemaker Club (followed by a question)" because the Club's search facility misses so much and the Web browser is more sensitive to different combination of words.

I can imagine you are concerned and so would I be.  I think your pacemaker needs to be checked before the procedure (and placed in a safe mode) and also after the procedure (for any adverse effects from your treatment), to make sure that your settings are restored, if required, to their original values.  I see from the links that I posted that previous members found it a good idea to have a copy of all their settings with them in case of any settings loss.  Seems as though ideally there should be someone present (a technician) during your procedure.  It is reassuring your doctors are not concerned.  Just make sure you run this all past your EP well in advance so that all necessary precautions can be taken and hopefully you can go ahead with treatment

Surgery with Pacemaker

by Bionic Beat - 2021-06-04 19:51:12

There is often a pacemaker tech in the OR with the surgeon.

Their job is to make sure the pacemaker is fine during the whole procedure.

As long as the surgeon knows about it and your cardiac people know about the surgery, they can organize it all and you'll be just fine.

 

Best Wishes,

 

Bionic Beat

You know you're wired when...

You need to be re-booted each morning.

Member Quotes

I had a pacemaker when I was 11. I never once thought I wasn't a 'normal kid' nor was I ever treated differently because of it. I could do everything all my friends were doing; I just happened to have a battery attached to my heart to help it work.