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What Causes Chronic Pain Post MAZE Procedure For Atrial Fibrillation?
Question: My son had a 'full maze" surgery in 2007 for Atrial Fibrillation. The surgery has worked nbut shortly afterward bhe experienced some pain and instead of goin back to his surgeon, he went to a local surgeon and had a Xiphoidectomy.
He has suffered chronic pain which at times is debillatating ever since that procedure. Can this be reversed or is there any procedure to reduce or eliminate the pain? XXXXXX
He has suffered chronic pain which at times is debillatating ever since that procedure. Can this be reversed or is there any procedure to reduce or eliminate the pain? XXXXXX
Brief Answer:
Post-surgical neuropathy; in my opinion pain management is the only option
Detailed Answer:
Hello sir and welcome.
Thank you for writing to us.
I have gone through your query with diligence and would like you to know that I am here to help. I understand how the procedure could have left your son with some post-surgical complications.
The procedure can be reversed with the placement of a bone graft (natural graft taken from another site in the body, to create the xiphoid process); but this will not help solve the problem.
In my opinion the issue is to do with the innervation in the region. The procedure requiring the removal of the xiphoid process would have involved changes to the muscular structure and possible cauterisation of some blood vessels. This could have led to the pain he has been experiencing and is called neuropathy.
I am afraid the only solution, in my opinion is pain management for the neuropathy. There are inter-coastal nerve blocks that can be administered once a week or even SOS (whenever the pain appears).
In addition to the nerve blocks, you can use oral pain management medications that contain the active ingredients pregabalin or gabapentin.
I hope you find my response both helpful and informative. Please feel free to write back to me for any further clarifications, I am always here to help.
Best wishes.
Post-surgical neuropathy; in my opinion pain management is the only option
Detailed Answer:
Hello sir and welcome.
Thank you for writing to us.
I have gone through your query with diligence and would like you to know that I am here to help. I understand how the procedure could have left your son with some post-surgical complications.
The procedure can be reversed with the placement of a bone graft (natural graft taken from another site in the body, to create the xiphoid process); but this will not help solve the problem.
In my opinion the issue is to do with the innervation in the region. The procedure requiring the removal of the xiphoid process would have involved changes to the muscular structure and possible cauterisation of some blood vessels. This could have led to the pain he has been experiencing and is called neuropathy.
I am afraid the only solution, in my opinion is pain management for the neuropathy. There are inter-coastal nerve blocks that can be administered once a week or even SOS (whenever the pain appears).
In addition to the nerve blocks, you can use oral pain management medications that contain the active ingredients pregabalin or gabapentin.
I hope you find my response both helpful and informative. Please feel free to write back to me for any further clarifications, I am always here to help.
Best wishes.
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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