Reoperation w/ same surgeon??

[irishmiz]

Hi...I'm new to this site - but I'm glad that I came across it because I need all of the advice I can get!! I had a complicated MV repair redo operation at the Cleveland Clinic last year - 7/05. Dr. Mihaljevic was able to "successfully repair" the valve, rather than replace it. Approximately a month later, I started to have pedal edema, so I went to my cardiologist for an echo. He said I had severe MVR. I thought he was crazy, the edema went away I didn't think any more of it. Cut to the chase...I finally received word this week from my surgeon at CCF that I would indeed need a third reoperation to replace the valve and to repair the tricuspid valve. My question is, should I have the same surgeon who failed to correct the problem(s) the first time, do another surgery to replace the valve? Has anyone had heart surgery at CCF with Dr. Mihaljevic? It cost me and my family a great deal of time and financial resources to go there once.....but a second time????

Any suggestions/comments would be appreciated. Thanks!

Christie

 

[ALCapshaw2]

Welcome Christie,

That's sort of a 'sticky wicket'.

IF you have the time, I'd request an interview with the surgeon to determine EXACTLY what went wrong and why. Then you may want to broach the delicate question of "should you trust him to do it right the next time".

I would also interview other surgeons (either at CC or elsewhere) who have extensive MVR experience.

Sorry your repair did not work out.

'AL Capshaw'

 

[PJmomrunner]

I can barely get my brain to contemplate this scenario--kind of like imagining something awful happening to someone I love. The brain just won't go there. I guess when you have to, you do.

What's with your tricuspid valve? Are the mitral valve issues causing it damage? Have you had a frank discussion with Mihaljevic to see what went wrong with the repair or what he thinks about whether he's the best guy for the job, or who he might call in to assist. On the one hand, revisiting the guy that "messed it up" seems a little like asking for trouble. On the other hand, who's better qualified to know specifically what's going on in a heart he's already seen.

Good luck.

 

[LUVMyBirman]

Sorry to hear your plight. This may have happened with any surgeon. Valve repairs don't always stick. In fact, I told my surgeon if he was not at least 90% certain that my repair would last a good solid 15 years, not to bother. Use the mechanical. There was another woman across the hall from me that had the same surgeon. He did a repair and she came out with 2+ reguirg. 7 years later......she has most likley been back for a re-do. Have recently been told to expect 20 more years on my current valve. So we are talking 30 years vrs.?

Why don't you take a look @ Hopkins. It's a great facility. Much closer to home.

Good luck. Take care and keep us posted.

 

[blessed1416]

1st repair, then replace

1st repair, then replace

Christie, I also had my MV repaired 3 years ago. Began to have symptoms and suspicions that repair didn't work within the first year. So, I held off until the symptoms affected my daily activities-shortness of breath, dizziness, and slower pace began to interfere. When confronted with whether or not to use the same surgeon when replacement was needed- it was a tough decision to make. I understood that often times it's no fault of the surgeon that the repair didn't work- it just happens. I also considered that he was the only one whom had ever had his hand on my heart. He knew his work, so therefore it just seemed the most logical route to take. I did discuss with him in detail why he thought the repair failed in the first place, he compared a repair to the strings on a parachute- they will break with wear and stress.
He replaced my valve 6 weeks ago with a St.Jude's mech. The surgery took longer, there were a few complications in CICU, but I was up walking by the third day. Other valvers on this site say that with each additional surgery, the risks increase. So, you want this to fix it for good. Best of luck in making your decision, and let us know how you are doing............Gail

 

[Barbara Stewart]

Same surgeon?

Same surgeon?

I am 5 weeks post op from my first redo and I chose not to do the same thing again. Like you said, it may not have been his fault, but the thought of trying the surgeon and the hospital from before just made my blood freeze. I went to a teaching hospital in Houston, Texas Heart Institute, and feel so much more positive about the whole experience.
I sure wouldn't want to let the surgeon who did the first two operate on me a third time. That's just my opinion. Frankly, I don't care why the first one didn't work. All I know is that the infection I had afterward almost killed me and who's fault that was I don't know and I don't care.
Good luck and let us know what you decide.
Barbara

 

[Georgia]

What it boils down to is whether you trust this surgeon to go in again. It's going to have to be your call.

I can't even imagine how hard it'd be to have to make this decision. Best of luck and my prayers are with you.

 

[Birky]

reop

reop

I think I would go back to the same surgeon since he had seen my heart and operated on it before. When I had mine 3 years ago, I wanted a repair and not a replacement. At that time they thought there was a 90% chance of a repair. When he got in there , he put in a St. Jude since mine was really bad. In fact he knew I would be upset so he took pictures of the valve and gave them to me. I don't think I would want to go through this a 2nd time and I hope my St. Jude holds up for my lifetime. I am so sorry that you have to go through this again. It is an expense to and worry to the whole family when a loved one has to go through this.

 

[Marty]

Frankly, I would not go back to this surgeon.You need a surgeon with good judgement. This surgeon used poor judgement in your case.

 

[RCB]

I'm with Marty!

I'm with Marty!

Frankly, I would not go back to this surgeon.You need a surgeon with good judgement. This surgeon used poor judgement in your case.

Give someone else a chance.