Decompression Question

[imkeko]

I know some of you wonderful Chiarians have been through multiple surgeries. How can you be decompressed more than once? And why would you have to be? Why would they keep going in and what for? What's left to do??

I guess I don't understand....

[imkeko]

Thanks for the answers! So many people have had more than one, it's a scary thought.
I appreciate these responses, and the fact you all think it's a great question. =) It's one of the first things that bothered me when i started looking into Chiari.

[linnielou232]

Hi.  this is a good question.  I had to have 3 surgeriers in all the 1st one and then 2 more because of complications with leaks.  Some times our tissue rejects our stitches etc and you get a slow leak.  That's why when people suggest to take it easy after surgery.  After my 3rd surgery I completely listened to my Dr, and my body and didn't do any lifting, bending is still a problem.  I am now sensitive to light and noise and don't go into stores very often because of the lighting.  So having surgery doesn't always make the problems go away.  Just keep taking it easy and you will be fine.  Rest. rest, Rest. Wishing you a good day.
Linda :)

[AnnieDear]

I second Frankie - What a great post. Thanks to all of the above. Very informative :)

I also have wondered about this, and since my NS had to do an aggressive decomp, I've been nervous about the cerebral ptosis. . . time will tell lol

Thanks!
Annie

[selmaS]

  Hi...what I would like to add to Dana's explanation is this, Chiari does not go away just bcuz u had surgery....many of us have other issues that can cause issues or set backs post op.

U may have a NS that does not want to do the complete decompression, it may be what he feels is right or just does not want to open the dura...but so many times the bony decompression needs to be re-done, I have seen that so many times.

Then u can have someone that had a full decompression with a dura patch and lamenectomy and needs a redo bcuz they have ehlers-danlos which can cause some of the dura patches to fail, so a re-do is in order to replace the patch....

U can also have a redo if the first surgeon chips away too much bone this makes too much room and allows the brain to slump, this is called cerebral ptosis....so again another surgery is required to put a sling like item in to help hold the brain in place.

Finding a true Chiari specialist is key....and knowing ALL related conditions is crucial.

  

[frankie_rush]

Thank you both Imkeko and sexybare, one for asking and the other answering.  I have been meaning to ask this and keep forgetting.  Thanks again cause I am post op since 7-25-2012

[Sexybare]

I was decompressed twice. The first surgery was only bony decompression with ns. The second was more invasive with a chiari specialist. It included more bone removal, duraplasty, electrocauterization of right tonsil, titanium plate and muscle repair. I have what my ns calls reoccuring chiari. Some people need more than one surgery, some don't. There are many reasons depending on the issues.