Major Surgery Being 100% Paced

Surgery day started off with a rainy drive to the hospital.  I spent 4-hours in surgery having my whole thyroid gland removed as it turned out to have cancer.  I have lost my voice which the doctor says should return in a day or so.  I feel like a truck has run me over.

My anesthesiologist spent a lot of time talking to be before surgery as he went over my cardiac history of events.  I took a list of questions with me that he answered for me.  Having my dual chamber 100% pacemaker turned off in February had me a bit worried about this procedure. 

The hospital took a lot of extra precautions with me because of my pacemaker.  A pacer tech was present and wired me up with a cardiac defibrillator.  After I was under general anesthesia my pacer was place in Safe Mode for the duration of the surgery.  Safe Mode increased my heart rate from 60 bpm to 100 bpm during surgery.

Surgery took longer than normal as they found cancer in my thyroid and removed my entire thyroid gland that we had discussed might happen.

At the end of surgery the anesthesiologist reduced my meds slowly but I continued to be in Safe Mode until I could open my eyes and all breathing tubes were removed.  Once I could breathe on my own Safe Mode was turned off on my pacer but it took a very long time before I could regain full conscious. Having a pacer tech monitor me was a big relief, but I was told my St Jude pacer worked perfectly.

I was released to go home later that evening as I have a home monitor that the tech said they would track me 24/7 for the next three days as a precaution.

I was very happy for the huge team of nurses, doctors, and techs that were assembled for me here in. Kaiser Permanente Sacramento, California.  Only downside is the hick-ups I now have but I can swallow freely now without choking.

8 Comments

Surgery

by Queen - 2024-11-01 22:17:03

I'm glad you made it through. Hope your recovery is speedy. Wishing you strength and joy for the days ahead. 

Whew!

by Lavender - 2024-11-02 00:38:37

What a tale! I can't believe after all that you were sent home same day. It seems more common these days to have revolving door surgery. 
Your medical team sounds excellent!!

I know two gals who had this surgery but they don't have pacemakers. Both lost their voices but quickly got a very deep sexy husky voice. Eventually they both regained their normal voice. 

Thank you for telling us how it went. May you heal completely and quickly!💐

What a relief to have this behind you

by Gemita - 2024-11-02 04:39:03

Stache, firstly, I am glad you have come through your procedure safely after all your fears.  You were certainly well looked after and so was that little device of yours.  

From your comments, your surgery was indeed necessary.  I am very sorry to hear cancer was found and I hope all traces have been successfully removed.  I hope your procedure will give you a quality of life once you get over the initial hurdles from having the surgery.  If your hiccups continue, I would tell your doctors about these since they won’t be helping recovery.  Hopefully they can be treated should they persist.

Take good care of your neck wound and I hope that any thyroid hormone replacement meds will be well tolerated and that your condition remains stable.  I hope you are able to eat without too much difficulty, at least a soft diet until your throat feels more comfortable.  What a journey you have had.  Welcome back Stache, stay safe and well and please let us know how your recovery goes

Surgery

by piglet22 - 2024-11-02 06:47:08

A truck indeed.

You must be relieved in all sorts of ways and I hope you recover well and back to normal life.

My aunt had thyroid surgery and later had  pacemaker fitted but obviously didn't have the two together.

Out of curiosity, you said you had your device turned off in February.

I was wondering what the reason was?

Good luck anyhow and it's a blessing to have these skilled medics.

Pacer Mistake

by Stache - 2024-11-02 09:22:54

During my yearly pacer check in February the tech made a mistake is the best way to put it. I am 100% paced and I told her not to take be below 60 bpm.  Long story short she did and I went into cardiac arrest.  Sometimes medical staff just don't listen and we have to be forceful with them.  I have learned never ASSUME and ask lots of questions.

thyroid

by new to pace.... - 2024-11-02 09:34:01

Glad to hear all went well with the surgery and you are on your way to recover.

new to pace

Electrosurgery

by Stache - 2024-11-02 16:56:16

I was informed that my thyroid surgery would involve electrosurgery rather than a traditional scalpel to help reduce bleeding. Electrosurgery uses electrical voltage to cut and seal tissue, which is highly effective. However, since I'm 100% paced with a dual-chamber pacemaker, the electrosurgery tool poses a unique risk: when close to my pacemaker leads, it can emit lines of flux (voltage), potentially interfering with my pacemaker. To mitigate this, my pacemaker was set to Safe Mode during the procedure, and a pacemaker technician was present to monitor it closely. Additionally, an external pacemaker unit was on standby as a backup in case my pacemaker was affected by the electrosurgery.

One critical detail was the placement of the electrosurgery grounding pad on my body. Because my pacemaker and leads are on the left side, the grounding pad was positioned on my right upper arm, away from my pacemaker, to help prevent any stray voltage from affecting the leads.

Before surgery, I thoroughly researched the electrosurgery equipment, which was worthwhile as it confirmed the potential impact on pacemakers. The manual for my St. Jude pacemaker includes a prominent warning about using electrosurgery near the pacemaker and leads, specifically advising careful placement of the grounding pad and the positioning of the electrosurgery instrument.

If you have a pacemaker and are scheduled for surgery, it’s worth asking if electrosurgery will be used, as it has become a common tool in surgeries.

Electrosurgery

by Gemita - 2024-11-03 05:24:32

Excellent advice Stache, thank you.  I will find a safe place for your guidance and quote from it if I may when another patient needs advice.  You do sound as though you had a safe and effective treatment because of your caring team and all your efforts too to thoroughly research the safety of Electrosurgery.

Hope you continue to make good progress

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