Paralyzed diaphragm

[grandmasarah]

My brother had cervical surgery and had a fusion of C2-C6. He ended up with the right half of his diaphragm muscle paralyzed, which makes for a collapsed right lower lung lobe.

He's having a hard time breathing! The NS says that it will "come back" eventually. Like maybe 6months or so. The NS also was surprised that it happened with the rear/posterior approach, because it is usually happened when the spine is operated on through the front/neck.

Have any of you guys ever had this happen? Did your diaphragm muscle normal again, and how long did it take???

It's damage to the Phrenic nerve on the right side.

I'm really angry about this.

Grandma Sarah

[tracy2001]

Hi Sarah,

I think your brother has what a lot of us with cervical tumors fear the most. It can happen to anyone with a tumor in the cervical region c4 or above. I'm not a doctor, but I can't see how the risk is less with a rear approach. I know I was warned against that as a complication. I'm hope your brother is able to breath without a respirator. If he is then, I think he has a good shot at recovery.

my prayers are with you.

tracy

[Ali-Brad]

Hi Sarah,

This is a great shame and I can understand your upset. I had 2 ops 4.5 months apart. In the second op I had a C1-C5 fusion. Having the fusion is hard enough on pain/mobility of the head, without complication. I wish your brother a good recovery.

Alison