Update For Sqad, Sqad If You Are There Could I Just Ask Your Opinon Please.? Its About My Daughter Again. She Has Had Two Spontaneous Lung Collapses... One The August Of 2014 Another One Last August 2015 And A Third One

[lilacben]

end of Jan. this year.
You asked to be kept informed.. My daughter has been to see the consultant today and after Xray he has told her they are now going to operate. I wasnt with her so do not know the actual words he used but she said he was telling her she has a few "bubbles" or blisters , which I believe are the ones that burst when she has an attack. And her lungs are lower down than they should be? he thought caused through smoking for years... although gave up straighter away when she had her second one last august. So they are going to tie off these blisters and fix her lung to her ribs.. So no more attacks.!
Although she is very worried about having it done we are pleased once it is done then we will not be living with a time bomb going off at any time again. Would it be keyhole do you think.? and what sort of time in hospital and recovery take.? obviously you cannot tell 100% but just a rough idea please.? Hope you are well and enjoying warmer weather than us? lol .Brenda xx

[Sqad]

I do really appreciate the update and yes, I remember the case of your daughter very well indeed.

I am going to make many assumptions here, so please forgive me if i don't get it all right.

Recurrent pneumothoraces due to COPD is a difficult problem, particularly for the thoracic surgeon, as he has to make sure that the patient is indeed fit for surgery and that the operation will be "worth while" and he clearly has given the green light based on these factors.

If the bullae (sacs) are in one area, then that is a criteria for operation, compared to a lung that has bullae scattered all over.

So we are starting from a sure footing.

I cannot say what method the surgeon will adopt as this will depend upon his expertise, but I would have thought that it would be by thoracoscopy ( keyhole surgery). She should be in hospital for about 3 days to a week and this should give her symptom free period for about 5-6 years (no more burst bullae& pnumothoraces)

That is my lot on the subject, but get back to me if you need any further information.

[lilacben]

sqad Many thanks I found that very interesting to read... from what I can gather the bullacs are in the same region... hopefully ..do they actually tie them up? also when you said.." this should give her symptom free period for about 5-6 years" does this mean it could then happen again? As I thought once the lung is joined to the ribs it wouldnt go again?....Sorry if I ask too many question but this really does interest me as well as helpful to tell my daughter and put her mind at rest. Brenda xx

[Sqad]

Lilac......no problem.

They can be ligated "tied off" or the lining of the lung (pleura) can be stuck to the ribs using, among other things, talcum powder.
The fact that on X-Ray the bullae are in the same area is a good sign and a good prognostic pointer.

I have to be honest here and indicate that all reports that i have read indicate that this procedure only lasts about 5 years and after that there may well be a recurrence of "leaks."

[lilacben]

Well thankyou again... I appreciate it ... I hadnt realized it could go again ... they did not mention that.! So to be honest is it really worth doing ?...Brenda xx

[Sqad]

Yes.......with a mother like you, I would want every minute with you......;-)

[lilacben]

sqad ... that was very kind of you. take care Brenda xx