Posted by Anders Kingstedt on May 01, 2001 at 18:28:19:
In Reply to: Re: Update for Jack posted by Jack Drum on May 01, 2001 at 18:26:27:
In response to Rob's entry:
- I believe it's always good to look at things objectively and from different perspectives. Of course there also less successful stories to be told in addition to the success stories available (at this board e g). But fact remains: Maze is in itself a success story. Given the risks, Maze is today probably the best option for Afib sufferers, at least if you want to come back to a normal life without the need for life time medication. The risks: yes, the risk factor is there. But, as my doctor told me, there is always a factor of risk in any major operation. But - this too is a fact (I've been told) - the mortality rate is really low for the Maze op. How you face the operation is certainly a personal matter. For me, going through with the operation was so crucial that every thought of anything but success was lost in focusing on a positive outcome.
As to why there aren't more Mazers: again out of my own experience - I didn't know of Maze as a cure for Afib until I moved to Stockholm in -98. My doctors in the small city of Vaxjo (Sweden) probably didn't even know of its existence. Perhaps this is the case around the world. Also - it takes extreme skill for a surgeon to perform the operation. This too problably explains the relative "scarcity". Anyway - I wish Rob the best of luck! I'm sure you won't regret your decision.
Best regards,
Anders