surgery soon!

Hello y'all! Im new to this site! I have a 6 almost 7 year old daughter with complete heart block. She just had ger battery replaced 2 years ago after first getting in placed at 4 days old. We just found out one of the leads is not working correctly and there is a lot of scar tissue around it so instead of having surgery when she was about 15 it will be next week. Im really nervous since they are replacing the leads and have to break her sternum to do this. Its the last thing i want to see my baby go through. Just wanting to know the risk and if its a simple procedure for the drs and what to expect. I took a week off work to be with ger do you think that is enough time? Thanks so much take care! Brittany

5 Comments

Epicardial leads

by golden_snitch - 2015-04-15 02:04:58

Apart from several pacemaker surgeries, I had to major heart surgeries. One was open heart with bypass and all, one was open chest to place epicardial pacemaker leads (like your daughter probably has, attached to the heart on the outside). From my experience I'd say that one week is definitely not enough. When I had epicardial leads placed, I was quite miserable for at least two or three weeks. Yes, kids bounce back more quickly, but I was 27 at that time, so not that old, either.

I'm not sure why they have to break your daughter's sternum. I had my epicardial leads placed via a horizontal incision below the left breast. Also, given that she's now almost 7 years old, have the doctors mentioned the possibility of placing transvenous leads instead? Usually, the epicardial leads are for babies and small infants, but as soon as the veins grow a little wider, one can usually switch to transvenous leads. Not sure, though, if that's already possible at the age of 7. But at least you can ask. It would be a less invasive procedure. Breaking the sternum is very invasive, and takes much longer to recover from.

All the best for your daughter's surgery, hope it goes smoothly!

Thinking of you!

by WillieG - 2015-04-16 11:04:28

I can't offer you advice as I have not had any experience with these issues, but would like to offer compassion and support for you and your daughter with having to have another surgery at a young age. I do hope they can find another way other than breaking the sternum. I wish you the best and hope that you will let us know how it goes!

lead replacement

by jbjlll - 2015-04-17 12:04:53

Just had surgery three week ago for replacement of one of my leads in my pacemaker/defibrillator. Found out that not all cardiologist that implant these devices do any repair work on them. So had another cardiologist perform the surgery. Don't know where the thing about breading the sternum comes from. I didn't have that and it was never mentioned. I stayed in hosp. overnight and went home. Noticed almost immediate improvement . That said I am not sure what the proper procedure is for a child. Wish you and your daughter the very best.

Recovery time

by golden_snitch - 2015-04-21 12:04:32

Again, if they have to break the breastbone, I'd plan more than a week or two out of school. Ask the surgeons about this, they have experience with recovery times in kids of your daughter's age. As I said, I had a similar surgery at the age of 27, and it took me several weeks to bounce back. I was in hospital for six days, then home for about six weeks, before I was able to go back to work (office job, just sitting).

Best wishes!

Thanks Everyone!!

by MaciesMomma - 2015-04-21 12:04:41

Thanks so much everyone! Im thinking maybe its different for a child which is why they have te break the breast bone..also her pacemaker is in her abdomen since she is so little..im just wondering also if this is an easy procedure for the doctors and how fast she will recover. Im so nervous i just want it over and not have to think about it for a long long time. I have planned for her to be out of school for 2 weeks do you think that is enough time? Her leads have lasted for almost 7 years is that normal i thought they didnt have to be replaced for almost 20 years..i hope they dont fail again..ugh i wish i could just do it for her! Surgery will be may 5th at uc davis and pre op may 4. Thanks again for calming some of my worries!!

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