ANA Discussion Forum
General Category => AN Issues => Topic started by: Melissa778 on April 28, 2009, 05:34:40 am
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For those of you who aren't aware I have had a NASTY (and that's putting it mildly) sinus infection since Oct/Nov-ish....right after my gamma knife. I've seen my regualr doc and an ENT and am currently on the SIXTH round of antibiotics and steroids. My sinus' on my AN side have continually been 100% blocked throughout the last 5-6 months.
Since my surgery last May I have had horrible itching in and around my ear and of course attributed that to the healing process. I also seem to get alot of waxy build up in that ear and also assumed that was normal given the type of surgery I had. Last evening my ear was itching unbearably and i was trying to itch the inner part of my ear when I felt something.....I of course figured maybe this was some wax build up and tried to pull it out......when I pulled, I pulled about and inch of cotton/gauze like material out of my ear!! DISGUSTING!
Ok, so question one......Is this common? has anyone had this happen? I am only to assume that this was left behind from my surgery because i certianly don't go shoving things into my ear.
And secondly......I wonder if there is more, and if there is if it is attributing to my sinus blockage and infection? And how do they find out if there is more???
I'm at a loss for what doctor to call.......
Any words of advice woudl be great........
Melissa
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Oh my gosh! I hope you have saved it. No, this would not be common! I would call all your drs. I doubt there is any more anywhere though but is enough to cause problems. Keep us posted as am very curious as to what now goes on. Cheryl R
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OH Melissa! Even though that is HORRIBLE - let's hope that this is a SIMPLE solution to all that has been happening! Maybe if there is more, it will come out as easily. I will say that I sat here with my mouth open! No, I'd say that is NOT common!! Please let us know what you find out...
K
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Does anyone know if there is any sort of gauze that is ever "supposed" to be left behind or used in packing the surgical area?
Melissa
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I had a piece of gauze put in my hear, but only after I started laking spinal fluid out of my hear. My doctor put this strip of gauze with some kind of medicine in my ear. He packed it in there real tight. He wanted to seal up the leak. But I knew he did this. I was awake when he did this. I dont know if this is the same thing. It was only to stay there for a week and I had to take antibiotics with it.
Karen
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Melissa -
like Kay, I'm shocked :o
I never had gauze of anything else in my ear from my AN surgery, but I had retrosigmoid not translab.
I sounds like this gauze is a "left over" from your surgery and while I'm not a doctor, I wouldn't be surprised to hear (no pun intended) that it has something to do with your current problems. This gauze has been in your ear for a long time.
I would contact the doctor(s) who performed your AN surgery - and like Cheryl suggested, keep that gauze.
I have heard of cases where docs left sponges inside surgical patients. In fact, I think ex-sister-in-law was one of them - during her C-section. In her case I think they had to reopen her and remove it.
Please keep us updated.
Jan
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No there is none that should be left behind. I can't imagine how they would forget it was left in there. Guaze in surgery is usually counted when used inside you but outside am not sure. Someone goofed! I have never heard of one that dissolves on its own.
I am now off to go visit my sister so no computer till tomorrow night so I will be left in suspense with this!
Cheryl R
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I did indeed save the piece of gauze like material.....it almost resembles cotton/muslin?? anyhoo, it's in a baggie for doc to see. My specialist who performed my surgery is over an hour drive away and not available today. Not so sure I really WANT to see him right now anyway. I am seeing my regular GP doc today and I have a follow up visit with an ENT tomorrow in regards to the infection. So hopefully I will have answers soon. I'm just so upset and worried that there could potentially be more in there.....and how would they go about finding out whether or not there is? and then what if there is? I swear I may have an anxiety attack today! I couldn't sleep last night.....my ear feels odd today too, slight pain and I have a horrendous headache....which I currently attribute to stress and lack of sleep! :0 And hopefully nothing else! Thanks for all the responses and support.....I'll keep you posted.
Melissa
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yup melissa that was definitely a goof. i had translab too and when i went to get my stitches out oops they left a few in! some still in after 4 years causes lots of trouble with the scar but theyre now so far in theyd have to dig into my flesh to get em so in they stay. there are goofs. the leftover gauze is probably the root of the extended sinus thing too. even if your docs are an hour away, you should go there with the gauze asap. there may be more, or even some other goof. dont wait. kerri
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Melissa ~
Oh boy! Along with everyone else, I'm shocked - and await your next post to see what happens, now. I'm sure this left-over gauze had some effect on your sinus problems but I'm not a doctor and won't even speculate on exactly what effect. I kind of doubt there is more of the stuff in your ear canal - but , at this point, who knows? You clearly require answers and I trust these will be forthcoming, very soon. Fear of the unknown is a very real cause for anxiety so don't be put off by doctors schedules. You deserve some answers. Get them. That is the best way to relieve the stress you're dealing with because of what appears to be a medical mistake. Here's hoping your next post is a positive one. You deserve a good day. :)
Jim
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This is incredible! Can only add to what the others have said ..... go to every doctor you have seen since surgery and get some answers/solutions as soon as you can. Unfortunately sometimes the patient knows more than the doctors! But, be aggressive on seeking answers on this one!
Clarice
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am surprised your ent didnt see it , has he ever looked in your AN ear, i had my ent do this the last time i seen him and he said there was nothing to see, he also looked up my nose with a scope , and gave me a nasel spray as i was feeling blocked up for a few months like yourself, he said i had the start of polys and this should stop them from growing , he is a really good ent and sees me every 2 months.
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Melissa -
Here's my advice - raise heck with every doctor you've been in contact with since your surgery! There's no excuse for letting you go on suffering for so long without doing a thorough investigation as to the cause - and a thorough investigation would have turned up a stray piece of gauze left behind! 6 rounds of antibiotics is a lot for your body to deal with and really, if you're not responding to them, obviously you need to try something else.
I'm so amazed right now and angry that you had to go through all this. I hope this will be the cause of all the issues you've been having and it will be taken care of once and for all.
Good luck and give 'em you-know-what!!! >:(
Lori
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Melissa, I don't have much to add to what everyone else said but Wow! With all the ear and nose issues you've had over the last 6 months, how could something like that go un-noticed? And even when you went through radiology. That is just inexcusable. Hopefully this will end your sinus issues. But sorry you had to go through that.
David
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just out of curiosity who were your docs? they werent by any chance at nyu in manhatten were they? kerri
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Melissa, I echo the others' sentiments .... specially Clarice, who said go to all your doctors and be aggressive on seeking answers. Only don't let any of them take away your plastic baggie holding the evidence. You might want to consider seeking advice from an attorney on this one.
Best to ya!
Greg
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At the least this is a medical error.... you should be compensated one way or another ! (attorney sounds good..)
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I'm so horrified by this! I reeeeeally hope that when you get to the root of this and make sure it's all out-that your sinus issues go away.
I can only imagine how you're feeling right now, and I'd be wanting some answers (and relief!) FAST!
Hope you're on the road to recovery soon....
Adrienne
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Ew! You definitely should raise some cane about that! It could very well explain what has been going on iin your sinuses. Go get 'em!
Priscilla
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Just got back from seeing my regular GP....she of course really didn't say much....didn't undertand how it went unnoticed. but she also doesn't know how that could come from my surgical site being that my ear drum is intact and she didn't know how it could come from the surgical site unless my ear drum was perforated???? I think she took a more "political" stand point on the whole issue and left it up to my surgeon to explain. She did say I have scarring on my ear druma nd that at one tiem it must have been perforated. When I saw my ENT a month ago when I got new antibiotics he never even looked in that ear.... I have not contacted there office yet as I am seeing my other ENT tomorrow. She at first seemed to insinuate that it could be from a q-tip until I showed the piece to her. She expressed her concern, however had no real answers for me. She gave me xanax and told me to go home and rest until I see the ENT tomorrow. SO I still have no answers and am just more and more frustrated by the hour.
SO anyone who can assist me in understanding the whole AN translab surgery.....where else in my head, sinus cavity, or ear could this have come from?? My doc really had no idea where it came from?
Melissa
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Melissa,
I agree with everyone else. Don't back down from this and don't let the Dr's run over you. Sounds to me like the one you went to today was just covering her butt. What did she think you did, put this in your own ear? Things are left behind sometimes and this is one of them. I also agree that you don't want to let go of the bag and that you might want to talk to a lawyer.
Good luck and hopefully this takes care of your sinus problems.
Patty
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Melissa -
I suck at anatomy, and I'm definitely not a doctor, but I'm imagining that the gauze was put into your ear from the outside during - or right after - your AN surgery. I don't believe it could have come from inside your head and worked it's way through your ear canal. But I could be totally wrong about this.
I would definitely bring this issue to the attention of your AN surgeons - and as everyone else said - don't let go of the bag with the "evidence".
I can't believe that with all the ear/sinus problems you have been having that your ENT never physically looked into your ear :o I'd give him a call also.
I am so sorry you are having to go through all of this. Keep your chin up.
Jan
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Holy cow, Melissa! That is just awful! I tend to agree with everyone else here that it sounds like someone, somewhere along the way goofed big time. And, I have to wonder if the gauze may have been harboring the infection, too. I know you won't back down until you get answers.
You probaby already know this, but since you have been on antibiotics so much, your body is most likely developing an immunity to them. I have had seven infections (various) since surgery and have been on that many different antibiotics. When I questioned my GP as to why I seem to be getting infected by every stinking thing that comes along, he told me that antibiotics, when used regularly actually suppress your immune system creating a "perfect storm" for getting more infections. He referred to it as the great Catch 22 of antibiotic drugs. Now, I am sure that this was an oversimplified explanation - but I can tell you that I haven't had so many infections in the last 10 years as I've had in the last 10 months.
Try to make sure that you are feeding your body lots of very nutritious foods, things that will help your body's immune system get back to 100%.
Please keep us all posted - this is just shocking.
Debbi
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are we all to understand that it was NOT a doctor who stuffed your ear with gauze? perhaps then it was the gauze fairy! i think an attorney would be in order about now. i cant believe it is such a mystery. someone is covering for someone! unacceptable since they arent the ones who have had to suffer all this time! def hang on to that evidence! kerri
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Oh man. I echo everyone else here when I say this is awful. Can't wait to hear what the ent has to say. Keep us posted.
Marci
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Melissa -- I am quite sure you will find the doctors all defending each other and not owning up to any admission of guilt. (Q-Tip! Whata ____!) One thing I would do immediately, is document the gauze in a photo. I don't know if there is something else that can be done to document it -- but make sure you have additional evidence. And like Kerri said, don't let that gauze out of your sight.
Now here's a question for you that you're going to have to answer for yourself. What do you want out of all this? If you just want the doctor to fess up -- he's not going to do it. That would open the door to malpractice. If you just want to scream at him, have at it. But if you want to be compensated for pain and suffering and have the doctor found guilty, you need a lawyer. I'm sure you could find a lawyer who will at least consult with you and let you know your options. And I'm sure you know, those infections could have at drastic results. I'm not suggesting you do this, but here's what I would do if I wanted to pursue this legally. I would go straight to a lawyer and let them advise how to handle this -- that is if you don't just want to scream at your doctor.
I am so sorry you had to go through all this.
David
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Melissa, if this situation seems a bit overwhelming to you .... as it does to many of us .... strongly suggest that you have a good friend tag along with you to appts w/ your docs. That way, as you listen and question, a friend can take notes "for the record".
Also if and when the time is right, suggest you contact an attorney who is familiar with med'l malpractice. If necessary, friends might be able to help you find one who will fight for you. Your friends herein might agree with this.
Greg
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And secondly......I wonder if there is more, and if there is if it is attributing to my sinus blockage and infection? And how do they find out if there is more???
Melissa
Melissa,
You seem worried that there might be more. I wonder if "foreign material" (if there were to be more) would show up in a scan of sorts of the head.. You might ask the ENT tomorrow. However, for peace of mind it seems unlikely that there would be two pieces of gauze.
So if I read your first post correctly, you had surgery a year ago May and gamma knife in Oct/November. I am surprised no one noticed it in the fall during your gamma knife. Ironically, your infections coincide with your gamma knife procedure rather than after your surgery which is also interesting.
I agree with David that it will be unlikely for any one of them to "admit" any fault or it would open a can of worms.
I hope you feel relief and that the infections go away!
Kate
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Melissa,
I will look on the bright side, and suggest that surely this gauze has been the cause of your troubles. Now that it is out, your sinus can heal up at last. I have no advice on the legal implications. I would just focus on getting that infection gone for good. I do think that with translab, enough of the inner and middle ear is removed that it could be left in from the surgery and get into the canal.
I hope that you will finally start to feel better now.
Steve
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interested to hear how you get on, keep us postedx
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Melissa, Yes, i would be HOPPING MAD too, want answers, want to SCREAM at the doc! >:(
I agree with LA David - after the shock, being mad, etc, etc., etc., what do you think you want out of this?
My sister (at age 40) had a voluntary hip replacement surgery. The implant piece was manufactured wrong - and the docs and manufacturing company were starting to hear complaints in late summer of that year. My sister had surgery in SEPTEMBER! No one warned her or many others. Since then, TWO, count them TWO more surgeries on that hip. She is better now, but all that trauma surely has not helped her general health. -- A class action suit was filed, and awards were given out. But, i am guessing some older folks didn't live as long after more than one hip surgery. - And how does ANY amount of money replace your health?
A year later, my daughter had a bad car wreck, and we developed a saying in my house: 'What will this matter in 5 years?' We took the things that didn't matter in 5 years, and let them go....
If you think this matters to you, go for it, get the lawyer.
Good luck with this difficult decision.
I am HOPPING MAD for you, too!
Sue
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Sue,
What is the name of the hip implant your sister had? My husband has had nothing but trouble - and PAIN - with his first hip replacement done in 2003.
Thanks!
Grace
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Hi Melissa,
I've been out of the loop for a while and was shocked about your discovery. I hope this ends your problems with siinus infections -- I know you've been through he** with them the last few months. Definitely keep your gauze or whatever it is (are you keeping it in the freezer -- I would so it doesn't decay further) and demand an explanation.
Wendy
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I would like to humbly suggest that you are all overreacting to the gauze in the external ear canal. This was put in there to keep betadine, blood, and fluid out of the ear during the surgical procedure. It should have been removed, but had nothing to do with the surgery or her current symptoms. There are many causes for recurrent and persistant sinus infections, and gauze in the external ear canal is not one of them.
Hope you feel better soon.
Sam
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Well I have spoken to an attorney, just for some advice at this point. Not really sure how far I want to take this and if all the hassle is really what I need to be dealing with on top of everything else. I'm trying to work through my anger and frustration more at this point than anything. And the attorney thinks that if this has not caused me life long "impairment" that I really dont' have much in the way of a malpractice suit, I may get another opinion though...just to see. Again, I'm not sure how far I will even take that though.
One thing I want to stress is I really genuinley LIKE my doc. He was wonderful and my facial outcome and recovery were overall a breeze until I got the infection. So I'm not sure I really want to "go after" him that way. I'm thankful for all the good he has done for me, and I'm trying to chalk it up to a risk we take when we have surgery of any kind. Maybe I'm crazy.....but I guess that's where I am at with it all right now.
I do meet with my ENT this afternoon to discuss my upcoming sinus surgery, which will now delay my BAHA implant surgery...which I am worried about having done at the same facility I had my translab done......just thoughts of what will they screw up/leave behind this time? I know that's not fair, but I'm being honest. I'm frustrated that I have to put my BAHA on hold, that I have to take extra time out of work for sinus surrgery. time that I was reserving for summer events/vacations with my kids.
I can crawl under a rock and cry it out or I can dust myself off and move on and worry ultimately just about my health and getting better....and that's what I'm trying to do....(with a little help from xanax :))
I thank you all so much for your input and support, you are all wonderful!! When I pulled that yuckiness from my ear, ONE of my inital thoughts was....I have to get on the forum and see if anyone else has had this happen! :)
Will keep you all posted on what comes of today's appointment.
Melissa
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THanks Sam, I had also wondered if it may have been something that was stuck there for some sort of purpose. However, it doesn't change the fact that it was left there and should not have been.
As I said above, I intend to take no leagal action as who knows what the outcome would be and at this juncture it just isn't worth the hassle to me and I may not have enough to go on, nor would I want to.
I don't feel there is any overreaction necessarily. Who would ever expect or be prepared to pull something from one's ear a year later? I think it's more shock, curiosity, and frustration fueled. :)
I still do wonder if something left in there for an almost a year could not harbor infection and bacteria. I suppose I wait to see what the doc has to say.
Melissa
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Melissa-
I really wouldn't be at all surprised if the tissue at least contributed to the ongoing infections. If you take a damp piece of cloth and stick it in a warm, damp place (like an ear canal, for example), it's quite likely to collect and grow all sorts of bacteria.
As for lawsuits, that's a very personal decision and one that should only be entered into if you are willing to stay in there for a long battle. Only you can determine if it is worth it to you personally. You'll do what is right for you.
Meanwhile, focus on feeling better - you're the most part of this equation. You know I'm rooting for you!
Deb
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I'm sure it wasn't left in there on purpose - mistakes happen. I don't think it necessarily means legal action needs to be taken, but it needs to be brought to the attention of the medical professionals who made the mistake in the first place. I may not change your situation - but I'm sure if they are aware of the mistake, they'll be much more careful in the future. You never know when you're going to tick off the wrong person who will sue you and win.
I think I would be more curious and angry that no one noticed it for a year than the fact that it was left in there at all. I've looked in ears before, and I like to think that you'd notice something like that in there.
Whatever the cause of your sinus things, I hope you get some relief soon. No one should have to deal with that for so long.
Lori
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I agree - mistakes happen and Like Sam said, it could have been there for a purpose. I think that the thing that bothers me most is that NO ONE in 6 MONTHS has even LOOKED in that ear?? ??? Especially knowing all the problems that there have been. I am NOT a "suer" and definitely cut a LOT of slack, but that just doesn't sit well with me... Let's just hope things get better now!!
K
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Sam -
thank you for your comments; nice to get a doctor's perspective on all of this.
As Kay said, the fact that no one has looked into Melissa's ear in 6 months (given all the issues she has been going through) is more shocking than the fact that a mistake was made (leaving gauze in her ear). Everyone makes mistakes.
IMO, and it's only my opinion, a lawsuit isn't a good option - but communicating the issue to the doc who did the surgery is something Melissa should do. I'd imagine a doctor would want a patient to tell him when something like this happens. If nothing else, it might prevent this mistake from happening to another patient.
Jan
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Melissa ~
Dr. Sam helpfully explained why the gauze was in your ear and it's obvious that it being left there was an error. Although Sam is skeptical about the left-behind gauze having anything to do with your multiple sinus infections, it seems possible (if not probable) but then, we're not physicians and may be all wrong about that. Try to get an answer from one of your ENT physicians. I think the folks posting on this thread are almost as curious as you are for that answer.
It seems as if the attorney you consulted correctly discouraged you from pursuing litigation. It probably isn't worth the time and money necessary. Besides, if you really like your doctor, I can understand your reluctance to drag him into court. I would feel the same way in your situation. This was more likely an error by the scrub nurse or whomever was responsible for accounting for everything used in the surgery. I think this is one of those times where you just have to let it go. People make mistakes. It's just life.
Jim
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This was more likely an error by the scrub nurse
Jim
Jim,
Nurses don't make mistakes. ::) Let's get that right next time, okay? :D
Lori
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You are all so wonderful and supportive!!
I am not the "type" of person that would have ever consulted an attorney, I just wanted some leagal "advice". I do not, nor did I ever, have intentions of taking this into court. And I feel good about that decision. My feelings towards my doctor have not changed.....I truly feel he is a wonderful doctor and these are risks we take when having surgery.
Ok, so I met with the ENT yesterday.....I showed him my little baggie of yuckiness.....and he of course said most definetley this is from surgery....however he is uncertain as to whether or not this could have contributed to my infection.
As Sam explained, and I'm about to try to explain a bit further......becasue it was "found" in my ear canal and my ear drum is intact the "gauze like" substance would not be in the vicinity of my sinus' contributing to the problem. Had my ear drum been perforated he would have assumed it most definetly contributed to the infection. THe small loop hole he see's in all of this is that it was never discovered before now,.....and to correct others, I have had my ear "looked" in over the last year, but just briefly...quickly, about 45 days ago maybe?, my ear drum does have scarring which indicates that at some point it was perforated.....so did the perforation happen during surgery? did my ear drum rupture at some point during all of this infection and I was unaware of it??? My ear is still numb in spots and I at times can not feel there little instrument when it is in my ear, so coudl my ear have been infected and ruptured without my knowledge.....probably. Lots of unanswered stuff still. But overall he seems to think it did not contribute to the infection.....mainly because the "chunk of yuck" smells, according to the doc, like antiseptic......it does not smell like infection....or anything necessarily "nasty". So my question to him was how could something like this sit in my ear canal for a year unnoticed? he of course had no answer for that one :) I feel alot better about all of it and have an appt with my surgeon on Monday to discuss further.....at this point my main concern is clearing the infection and also, somehow, making sure there are no more "chunks of yuck" in my head!! :)
As far as my sinus infection goes.....after 6 rounds of antibiotics, many steroids and sprays.....the infection has only worsened.......so surgery is on the horizon :( I meet this afternoon with the actual surgeon to discuss options and set everything up. I'm not happy about it, who would be....but at least it will be cleared up and I hope to feel worlds better when it's all said and done :)
Thanks again to all of you for your concern and support!
Melissa
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Melissa .....
So glad you have an ENT who has apparently explained what must have happened without putting "blame" on others. I'm a little confused as to which surgeon will be doing any further sinus surgery. It always worries me a little bit when multiple doctors are involved in one illness/condition (your sinus infection this time). I certainly hope all of them have been conferring with previous docs ..... especially the surgeon who did your translab.
I am also glad you have decided not to pursue the litigation route. I would (as I think you already have) make sure all of the doctors you have seen since your surgery are aware of what has happened. Hopefully, a few staff people will have more awareness to be super careful during and following surgery after this.
Clarice
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Melissa~
Glad you have a Dr. who took the time to explain things to you - I hope that you get to the bottom of this - and soon!! :) I am sorry that you are going to have to have surgery again but let's hope that it is a relatively "easy" one and it clears your problems up ASAP so that you can get on with living and put this ALL behind you!!
We are here for you! I know you will keep us updated!
K
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ditto and amen! kerri
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The ENT put the pieces together nicely! It all makes sense.
All the best in resolving the sinus problem.
Kate
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Melissa,
Your ENT's explanation makes sense and I don't blame you for not wanting to take legal action -- I was initially under the impression yoiu did and could also understand that. As you point out, we take risks when we decide to have surgery and your yucky gauze is one of them. I'm sorrier than I can say that you have to endure another operation, but hope this takes care of your sinus infection once and for all. I'm sure the surgeon and surgical team will be very careful, especially given what has already happened.
Wishing you all the best,
Wendy
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Melissa ~
I'm pleased to learn that you've received satisfactory answers regarding the left-over gauze and that suing your surgeon was never an option for you. I'm sorry that you'll likely have to undergo additional surgery to finally resolve your ongoing sinus issues but it shouldn't be too onerous and the relief you'll get should make it worth the hassle.
Jim