Posted by Carl Plaskett on July 17, 2001 at 22:34:45:
In Reply to: Mini-Maze posted by Dona Ryan on July 17, 2001 at 20:15:00:
Dona: I think you will find a pretty even split between open chest and mini-maze recipients on this board. A number of us who had the open chest routine (myself included) are believers in the theory that the surgeon can do a more thorough and/or accurate job when he is working directly on the heart and not via a "scope". We do have a bit longer of a recovery (knitting of breastbone), but it SEEMS as tho the recovery to NSR has been quicker for many of us.
There are others who had the mini-maze and have done fine, some leaving the hospital in NSR, and some taking a little longer, but they are able to do lifting and driving a bit sooner.
One of our recent "mazers" even got to have BOTH procedures! After his "mini" maze, bleeding in his heart was discovered and they had to do the open chest routine to make "repairs". As I understand it, he is doing fine at just about 3 months post maze and is doing just about everything he wants to do. (I am sure he will correct this info if I am mistaken).
I think it is important that you know the experience of the surgeon AND his surgical team, wherever you have the surgery. Ask their success rate, ask to have maze patients contact you with their experiences. I think you will find most maze recipients eager and willing to share both good and not so good experiences. (My Florida EP has asked me to talk to 4 other potential maze patients, all of whom went to the CC and had successful surgeries. I was happy to help them realize that it just wasn't that big a deal for the wonderful results I experienced).
I think you will also find that many of the participants on this board will welcome personal email questions as well, so you shouldn't have any problem doing your "homework" re: the maze.
Good luck with your "research" and "cure".
- Re: Mini-Maze Niamh Smith 01:00:47 8/11/2004 (0)
- Re: Mini-Maze Steve Giddings 12:24:11 7/18/2001 (0)