Anyone have a part of a vein replaced/spliced?
 

I am still having symptoms after having my rib removed and angioplasty and if it doesn't get better soon they are talking that I may have to have a new vein spliced in where it is damaged. Just wondering if there is anyone that has had this and if it helped?

Yes and it helped. Procedure was done by Dr Thompson after he removed first rib and scalenes, he used a donated vein to replace my damaged vein, my arm feels like a regular arm now. I am now almost 7 months post op.

Regis

Thanks Regis that is good to know! They looked at mine when they removed my rib and they thought it looked fine but apparently it is not :confused:

While in surgery they cleaned my vein the best they could and did a Venogram, that's when they decided to replace the vein. Then another Venogram to make sure the replacement vein had good flow. Total time for everything was about 8 hours, much longer than normal because of the vein replacement. Good luck.

Regis

My PT wouldn't even touch me today because of my swelling in my arm and numbness in my arm and hand. I called my doctor and I am going in for more testing tomorrow. It has been 9 weeks since my rib removal and I am ready for answers and relief!!

Good luck tomorrow. Go to the ER if your swelling escalates.

Well I went to the hospital and they did a ultrasound and the blood flow looks good. So I still don't have an explanation of the swelling and loss of feeling in my arm and hand. The doctor prescribed yet another blood thinner which my insurance denied. My pharmacist also didn't think it was a good idea. I am calling in to see what next.....

The loss of feeling sounds like brachial plexus neuropathy. Did your surgeon comment at all about your BP and neurogenic TOS or was he solely focused on your vascular symptoms?

Are you taking an anti-inflammatory? Post surgery inflammation of the BP is not uncommon. Are you taking anything for nerve pain? Neurontin or Lyrica?

Haven't heard of BP and he was solely focused on the vascular symptoms. I am taking Aleve for my anti-inflammatory. I even having changed my diet to anti-inflammatory to see if that helps. I am not taking anything for nerve pain. This gives me more to research and I called my surgeon and told him that more testing needed to be done because this is not acceptable! I have an appt next Tues.

It sounds as if your surgeon is inexperienced with the neurogenic components of TOS (there seem to be only a handful of true TOS experts scattered across the country). Since you initially had some relief, I don't think he damaged your brachial plexus. However, scarring/adhesions of the brachial plexus and possibly the scalene remnants could have developed and be contributing to your issues.

This is a good site for educating yourself regarding TOS: http://surgerydept.wustl.edu/TOS_For_Patients.aspx

Thread: Scar Tissue and Adhesions Post-Surgery