blood loss

[bmills]

I understand that the old posterior fusion surgery was/is much more destructitve and creates more blood loss than anterior ADR.

I've been hearing that with a good vascular surgeon or a ortho surgeon that has the skills of a general/vascular surgeon, when doing L5/S1 anterior ADR there is very minimal blood loss.

Correct? Any experience or info to share to confirm this?

Thanks.
Brady
Possible L5/S1 ADR coming

[Poncho]

bmills,

That is correct. In articles that I have read the estimated blood loss (EBL) during ADR is somewhere around 100 cc's or less (give or take 50 cc's). 100 cc's = 100 milliliters and 100 ml = is just over 3 ounces of blood to put it in household terms. This is not much blood at all.

In my case, I was a 2 level and the estimated blood loss was right at 100 cc's. I run on the anemic side all the time and after surgery, my hemoglobin and hematocrit did not drop hardly at all post-op.

However, keep in mind this is with an EXPERIENCED Vascular Surgeon or OS.

[bmills]

Poncho, thank you for that information. Very helpful.

Brady

[gem]

Brady,

I had a two level and my blood loss was about the same as Poncho.

Gem

[Alastair]

Hi Brady,
I was more or less the same, about a 100 cc on my L5/S1.

You specifically must have a very competent vascular surgeon present for ADR.
Cheers,
Alastair

[spineally challenged]

Hi Brady
Probably what you don't want to hear but I lost 2 litres of blood during my 5/S1 and 3/4 procedure. Dr Zeegers tore the Vena Iliaca sinistra (a branch from the iliac vein) whilst removing a retractor pin during the 5/S1 part of the procedure. Initially they thought it was a 1.5cm traumatic rupture of the iliac vein but once the source was found they had it fixed with the help of a vascular surgeon in 15 minutes. They had called up 6 units of blood but in end used only 4. I had to self inject the anti-thrombosis drug Fragmin for 6 weeks following surgery - don't know if this length of treatment is common to all patients or whether it was related to the vascular injury.
I don't really know how common such incidents are (pretty rare I think) but accidents can happen even with the best.
Those are the major blood vessels - only allow a very experienced surgeon with a good back up team anywhere near you..
If anyone else had a similar experience please let me know..

Sorry to be a downer
Tim

[mmglobal]

Everyone would be shocked to discover how clean the surgery is. There is very little blood. When any bleeding occurs, the vessels are quickly cauterized and the blood removed.

I can't imagine what major surgery was like before cautery was developed.

Tim, I don't think that your post is a downer. It shows real risks, but also shows that the rare problems can be dealt with.

Mark

[Alastair]

Hi Tim,
I didn`t have probs like you with blood loss but only did the Fragmin for about 2 weeks so it could be significant your 6 week course.

I trust you are making some progress
Best wishes
Alastair

[bmills]

Tim and others. Thank you for the first-hand information.

Brady

[Dano]

bmills, My experince is the same as poncho and others.
est. loss for my double was 100cc's. But, my NS will only use one Vascular surg. as his approach surg. If a accident occurs and they can, that's why they call them accidents. The vessels are as important as they get. For me I was very happy to know Dr. Bray only uses a Vascular surg. and only one at that. It is a very important part of is operation. Take care and good luck, Dano