Nerve Block and Surgery

maryaz · Posted: Tue Apr 29, 2008 3:27 pm Post subject: Nerve Block and Surgery

Someone suggested to my husband that he should ask the surgeon about getting a 'nerve block' when he has his lung surgery. Think she said local or temporary? The lady is a nurse and she was saying it would help with the pain.

Can anyone else give me some input about this either good or bad. He have no idea. We will ask the surgeon tomorrow for the 2nd time. Thanks
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Mary

Husband is 67 year old Male
NSCLC - Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Chemo and Radiation Treatments together
Allergic reactions to Taxol and Taxotere.
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brainman · Posted: Wed Apr 30, 2008 4:01 am Post subject: Re: Nerve Block and Surgery

Mary, one type of nerve block that you may be more familiar with is the epidural given to some women during labor. A nerve block is given in order to block the pain but not necessarily to make the patient become unconscious. How it is used for lung surgery is outside of my realm of knowledge or experience. Hopefully someone else can fill in the gaps.
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pbj11 · Site Admin Joined: 12 May 2007 Posts: 822

Mary,

Typical lung surgery is done under general anesthesia. I'm not familiar with where or how a nerve block would come into play for this type of surgery. The chest area is loaded with nerves and often people have fairly moderate pain following this surgery because of all the severed nerves and ribs being separated. This can be handled with good pain killers. The key is to stay ahead of the pain. It's much easier to hold it off then to try and get rid of it once it occurs. Then they have weird sensations for a long time -- like numbness in the area. My husband had numbness the rest of his life.

Are they planning on doing regular surgery or VATS? VATS recovery is much easier, although they still will be cutting nerves. It's just part of the process.

Many people have gone through both types and come out fine after they are healed. Everyone is different in how fast they recover.

Best wishes,
PBJ
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maryaz · Posted: Thu May 01, 2008 10:41 pm Post subject: Re: Nerve Block and Surgery

Thanks for the information. The surgeon won't be doing the nerve block. She explained to my husband how she does it all. I sort of got lost. It did sound very normal.

pbj; It is not VATS. She will be cutting him (I cringe just writing that, grr) him around the side. It will get the side and little front and back.

We got a date from the surgeon when we saw her yesterday of May 16th. However, it still had to be verified by the office staff and they are to call us by Friday. I will let you know when I know for sure.

My husband and I have not talked a lot about it. I know he is very concerned about it. I am not sure what to even say yet. I tell him it is important to do it because of the cancer. I know I would not want to look forward to it. Neither of us had ever had much in illness until last few years. The surgeon explained it all very good. Any surgery, big or small has its risks/problems but the chances of things going wrong are remote. He would be in hospital 7 to 10 days she said. She said could be 5 to 6 but if she says that patient is upset because they don't get out sometimes. 6 weeks of no lifing anything over 10 lbs. That has to do with the cut ribs healing. May be SOB for bit and may and may not need oxygen for while but should heal fine. Said about 2 to 3 months recovery in all.

I know someone with a surgery something like that. 5 to 6 days in hospital turned into 2 months and lots more problems. I think some things were not done right in the hospital. My understanding is that it was not the surgery but after. It can worry a person.

Thanks for all your help. I will let you know when date is definite.
_________________
Mary

Husband is 67 year old Male
NSCLC - Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Chemo and Radiation Treatments together
Allergic reactions to Taxol and Taxotere.
The Story: http://www.cancerforums.net/about9079.html

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