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2 replies [Last post]
January 13, 2011 - 2:55pm
puravida
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Joined: 01/13/2011
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facial injuries post spinal stenosis questions- experienced patients please reply

Hi,
My dad is on his first day post op of his spinal stenosis surgery. He has swelling in both eyes and skin missing from his nose. He thinks they may have dropped him.

The surgery was longer than expected by 2 hours. The doctor said this was the case because my dad had a really thick bone that took a long time to chip away. The doctor said they had to put in an extra cross bar where they removed that bone.

My dad thinks they dropped him post op and had to reopen him to fix damage caused by being dropped and thats why the surgery took longer and thats why he has facial injuries.

So, my question is did anybody who had this surgery receive any facial injuries? If you were dropped post op, do you think it could damage the screws or force a doctor to install a cross bar?

Any input would be greatly appreciated!!

Thanks
Bob

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January 13, 2011 - 7:37pm
#1
sleeprgirl
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Joined: 10/23/2009
Posts: 700
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Patients

are placed face down in a special pillow for the surgery. The OR tables are slightly tilted down, so the face is very dependent for that prolonged period, which can cause significant swelling. If the skin on the face is fragile to begin with, it sometimes seems like tissue paper and that top layer can come off. It doesn't happen often, but it certainly can.

I've seen patients heads look like bowling balls after being on their stomachs for many hours.

Sorry that it happened, but it should heal on its own. If you still have concerns, do discuss it with his doctor.

Take care,

SG

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