Nikhil's Posts

Hey Nikhil, I too am only young, nearing 22 yrs old and had ASD repaired. After my 1st OHS my Sternum didn't heal together (I didn't know this at the time), now after my recent 2nd my Sternum is having trouble healing together so my Surgeon thought about removing my Sternum wires and using plates; but CT Scan showed up new bone formation, I just need to take more time to heal. I would reccomend having a CT Scan done, allowing more time to heal, follow cleaning instructions and talking with your Surgeon (if this is possible). I know this is scary to face, even having surgery young, hang in there with hope. Let me know how you get on 🙂 All the Best, Emily.

You're very welcome. It's great to connect with other young heart patients esp who have had the same or similar surgery. Here to help 🙂 My Sternum bandage was changed in ICU 2 days Post-Op, then fully removed by 5 days Post-Op. I don't recall any fluid discharge from the Sternum, not even now. However my drainage holes did have discharge from them, with cleaning, fresh air and time it cleared within couple of weeks Post-Op. My Surgeons did a great job so I am happy with my result. My Sternum scar does get itchy, does yours and did you have stiches on the skin? I would like to hear more about your story, how ASD hole was discovered, along with how meeting with your Surgeon goes. 😃

I am 30 and just had my second OHS. I had my first at 26. I haven't had any real problems with my sterm healing but I did have one stitch poking up. Today I went to my primary care Dr. He poked it out, pulled it out a little and cut it. Obviously not a total removal but it was painless. Not sure if that helps but I think they can probably get the wires out without too much pain or discomfort. Maybe speak with your surgeon about what the procedure would be like?

Hey Emily, Sorry for late reply. yes my Sternum scar also get itchy.No,I dont have any stiches in skin,do u have any ? And regarding my ASD holes discovery,It went like that : I went for my first annual check up sponserd by my company.This includs complete body check.I have not faced any breathing issue or any other symptoms in my life.I have never thought this health checkup will give me biggest shook of my life On Heath check up day: The day started with series of test( blood test,urine,stool),Abdomen Scan and then finally heart echo :-) . when I went for echo.Dr. explained me what is heart echo and how it help to check heart internal structure.Then She started scaning and suddenly she started making serious face when looking into screen. Then She told you have septal defect ,its called ASD.I asked what the heal it is.Then she told its a hole,and I was like are you kiding me. She referred me other Dr. I immediatly went to Dr. then he did the scaning again and told me the same thing but he told you have 2 hole. He suggested for TEE test.I have sheduled the test in same week.in TEE it was confirmed I have ASD.But not 2 ASD holes,I have 3 ASD Holes. I cant explain you how I was feeling at that time.First It difficult for me to digest the thing I have hole in my heart ,then I have 3 holes in heart. My physician helped me to calm down and explained about it. After that I meet 3 surgeon to get their suggestion about my echo reports and dicussed about the surgery procedure and recovery time and asked my doubts. Then decided my surgeon and sheduled the surgery. I was diagoned with ASD on 3rd may 2016 ,and had surgery on 26 july 2016. Presently,I don't have any opening in my incision.So,Dr told may be its not needed to remove sternum wire.On 13 sep,I have to visit him then he will do final inspection and decide about it. What made you two go for secong OHS? any issue with first surgery ?

I don't have any external stitches now. I did have a few on my scar, those clear stiches (they look like fishing wire 🎣) post-op in Hospital. My Surgeon didn't know I had them until I asked about them, she said her Register must've placed them in to help pull the wound together (they are used alot in second operations for strength). I had them removed before I went home. What products/treatments do you use on your scar area? As time has gone on and the first couple of weeks post-op dead dry skin has pealed off, my scar/skin's itchiness decreased but still does get itchy, but maybe because I normally have sensitive skin. So hopefully yours will improve too. 😁 Wow, lucky you had that check up. And no symptoms-that's incredible. Did your Surgeon tell you the size of your holes and what they used to patch them up? Often it's not until they open patients up when they discover more, my first Surgeon found two holes (one my Cardiologist picked up on and the other back wall of my heart). One was 9mm and the other max 10mm, he used part of my Pericardium to patch them up. Problem with ASD holes is where the blood is spurting out. The diagnosis is huge to take in, then Open-Heart Surgery on top even Doctors saying "You need Surgery" is hard to digest. Were you born with the ASD holes in your Heart? I read you seen 3 Surgeons, it must of been tough for you deciding on which one to operate on you. That's good your incision has healed together. Do you feel your Sternum wires rubbing on your skin? I know removal of Sternum wires is another huge operation, I was told they remove wires, take bone marrow from your hip then inject it into the sternum and use plates+screws in sternum but that might only be if someone has broken sternum which won't heal, therefore your case might be different. Will removing the wires help eliminate some or all of the discharge? As for what made me go back for a second time, well I wanted to see the newly renovated operating theatre 😂 My first OHS I my Mitral Valve (I had Severe Regurgitation) Repaired + 2 ASD Holes in my Heart. My second OHS same issues-Severe Regurgitation, due to being young and very active the leaflets of my valve had split into three, they didn't come together properly and ASD coming undone as I've grown. Discovered I have a one in million heart (strange anatomy). I was lucky to get a Re-Repair using Annuloplasty Band to support my MV and blood from the ASD wasn't flowing in the wrong direction thank God, but there was an extra pocket caused by so much blood being regurgitated. Thanks for asking 🙂 Let me know if you have any questions, I hope your Appointment regarding your incision went well.

Hey Emily,yes my scar also got itchy some time few weeks after surgery. Size of holes are 12mm,8mm,3mm.My surgeon also used paricardium patch. yes,Iwas born with ASD.My parents told when I was 7-8 month old,they checked for echo.But nothing came out at that time. yes deciding the surgeon was very difficult for me, I had decided based on their experience with surgery and their approch of surgery.Hoping surgery was went well. :-) yes i can feel my sternum wires rubbing when I walk fast. Regurgitation,how it feel? I also have mild tricuspid regurgitation they mentioned in post-op echo report. Good that you have unique heart. :-) that helped you.I pray you wont get any more regurgitation. what do you mean by "pocket"? And you said you are active means like running,swiming,trekking. will all these effect after ASD closure? I also has done betadine dressing and dry dressing all the day, till scar get completely clean. how are you now?Back to normal life? Apologize, if you find difficult to read my messages.I am not so good in english