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Femoral artery

Forums General Melanoma Community Femoral artery

  • Post
    Hriggenbach
    Participant

    Has anyone had there femoral artery cut and repaired during there groin lymph node removal?

    Mine was cut and had to be repaired. I spent 5 days in the hospital than 6 days in a nursing home, I was then sent home in a wheelchair with nerve damage from my knee to my ankle and I've lost all feeling in my thigh. I have not been able to start my cancer treatment yet because I have so many  surgical wounds. My dr said my lymph node was attached to my femoral artery and it was nicked so the vascular surgeon removed a 3 inch section and reattached my artery. They are tell me it is somewhat normal I'm in extreme pain and I'm really questioning if this is true? 

Viewing 5 reply threads
  • Replies
      Janner
      Participant

      Been on this site for 15 years now and I can't say I remember anyone posting a femoral artery cut with a CLND.  All I can say is it is not "somewhat normal" on this site.

      Numbness is a different story – fairly common with all surgeries.  Some of that feeling may return over time as stretched nerves heal.  But some feeling may never return.  Havent had the CLND but have had many knee surgeries and I have large areas around my knees that are numb although there was improvement after the surgery over time.

      Janner
      Participant

      Been on this site for 15 years now and I can't say I remember anyone posting a femoral artery cut with a CLND.  All I can say is it is not "somewhat normal" on this site.

      Numbness is a different story – fairly common with all surgeries.  Some of that feeling may return over time as stretched nerves heal.  But some feeling may never return.  Havent had the CLND but have had many knee surgeries and I have large areas around my knees that are numb although there was improvement after the surgery over time.

      Janner
      Participant

      Been on this site for 15 years now and I can't say I remember anyone posting a femoral artery cut with a CLND.  All I can say is it is not "somewhat normal" on this site.

      Numbness is a different story – fairly common with all surgeries.  Some of that feeling may return over time as stretched nerves heal.  But some feeling may never return.  Havent had the CLND but have had many knee surgeries and I have large areas around my knees that are numb although there was improvement after the surgery over time.

        Hriggenbach
        Participant

        Thanks for the input. Im asking because my family is really pushing me to file a  malpractice suit but I am kinda on the fence with what to do.

        Hriggenbach
        Participant

        Thanks for the input. Im asking because my family is really pushing me to file a  malpractice suit but I am kinda on the fence with what to do.

        Hriggenbach
        Participant

        Thanks for the input. Im asking because my family is really pushing me to file a  malpractice suit but I am kinda on the fence with what to do.

        Janner
        Participant

        Stuff like that might have been listed on your consent form you signed.  Just saying malpractice may be hard to prove if you didn't die (unfortunately).  I'd research known complications/side effects and the like for a CLND and see what problems are listed before going any further.

        Janner
        Participant

        Stuff like that might have been listed on your consent form you signed.  Just saying malpractice may be hard to prove if you didn't die (unfortunately).  I'd research known complications/side effects and the like for a CLND and see what problems are listed before going any further.

        Janner
        Participant

        Stuff like that might have been listed on your consent form you signed.  Just saying malpractice may be hard to prove if you didn't die (unfortunately).  I'd research known complications/side effects and the like for a CLND and see what problems are listed before going any further.

        Hriggenbach
        Participant

        I've tried googling it and unfortunately there is not a lot of information on surgical complication

        Hriggenbach
        Participant

        I've tried googling it and unfortunately there is not a lot of information on surgical complication

        Hriggenbach
        Participant

        I've tried googling it and unfortunately there is not a lot of information on surgical complication

      debwray
      Participant

      Hi,

      Don't think this is common but can see that it might be a risk. My surgeon did a sartorious muscle switch to protect the artery in case of infection or wound break down which is common with this procedure apparently.I have loss of feeling from thigh to knee over a year later but no problems with pain or loss of feeling knee to ankle. Nerves can repair but the pace is very very slow. 

      The pain you are feeling may be due to nerve compression and might  be as the nerve signals start refiring as the swelling in the area reduces. Have you still got drains ? Where is the site of the pain ? Have you any swellings or lumps under your scars ? I would try to keep in touch with your surgeons and report anything you are worried about as the last thing you need is an infection on top of every thing else.

      Sorry you are dealing with these complications , suitable  pain relief should help. BTW is the nerve damage from knee to ankle causing pain, loss of movement/ muscle strength, or loss of feeling or maybe a combination ? It will get better over time but is just so frustrating when you have post op problems and other things that need to follow.

      Best wishes for good healing,

      Deb

       

       

       

      debwray
      Participant

      Hi,

      Don't think this is common but can see that it might be a risk. My surgeon did a sartorious muscle switch to protect the artery in case of infection or wound break down which is common with this procedure apparently.I have loss of feeling from thigh to knee over a year later but no problems with pain or loss of feeling knee to ankle. Nerves can repair but the pace is very very slow. 

      The pain you are feeling may be due to nerve compression and might  be as the nerve signals start refiring as the swelling in the area reduces. Have you still got drains ? Where is the site of the pain ? Have you any swellings or lumps under your scars ? I would try to keep in touch with your surgeons and report anything you are worried about as the last thing you need is an infection on top of every thing else.

      Sorry you are dealing with these complications , suitable  pain relief should help. BTW is the nerve damage from knee to ankle causing pain, loss of movement/ muscle strength, or loss of feeling or maybe a combination ? It will get better over time but is just so frustrating when you have post op problems and other things that need to follow.

      Best wishes for good healing,

      Deb

       

       

       

      debwray
      Participant

      Hi,

      Don't think this is common but can see that it might be a risk. My surgeon did a sartorious muscle switch to protect the artery in case of infection or wound break down which is common with this procedure apparently.I have loss of feeling from thigh to knee over a year later but no problems with pain or loss of feeling knee to ankle. Nerves can repair but the pace is very very slow. 

      The pain you are feeling may be due to nerve compression and might  be as the nerve signals start refiring as the swelling in the area reduces. Have you still got drains ? Where is the site of the pain ? Have you any swellings or lumps under your scars ? I would try to keep in touch with your surgeons and report anything you are worried about as the last thing you need is an infection on top of every thing else.

      Sorry you are dealing with these complications , suitable  pain relief should help. BTW is the nerve damage from knee to ankle causing pain, loss of movement/ muscle strength, or loss of feeling or maybe a combination ? It will get better over time but is just so frustrating when you have post op problems and other things that need to follow.

      Best wishes for good healing,

      Deb

       

       

       

        Hriggenbach
        Participant

        My nerve and  muscle pain is from my knee to my ankle I have hightened nerve sensitivity and shooting pains almost like I'm being electrocuted so I'm unable to walk.  I do still have my draining but I do have lymphedema and swelling in my leg. I'm still seeing the same surgeon she's not really knowledge any of the pain. I've got a home nurse going to remove my JP drain one last appointment with the surgeon then I move onto medical oncologist to start treating my cancer

        debwray
        Participant

        OK, Shooting pains are sort of good news- its a bit like pins and needles massively scaled up- and when the nerve is managing to get signal through to your ankle they are too powerful. What is the output from your drain ? if it is still significant each day then you might want to keep it a little bit longer so that the increased swelling and pressure when it is removed and your body hasto absorb the excess fluid does not put pressure back on that damaged nerve.

        If you were thinking of a case I think the advice to check the consent form and listed complications is good. Bad things can happen but proving negligence can be tough standard to meet .

        Best wishes for your recovery

        Deb

        debwray
        Participant

        OK, Shooting pains are sort of good news- its a bit like pins and needles massively scaled up- and when the nerve is managing to get signal through to your ankle they are too powerful. What is the output from your drain ? if it is still significant each day then you might want to keep it a little bit longer so that the increased swelling and pressure when it is removed and your body hasto absorb the excess fluid does not put pressure back on that damaged nerve.

        If you were thinking of a case I think the advice to check the consent form and listed complications is good. Bad things can happen but proving negligence can be tough standard to meet .

        Best wishes for your recovery

        Deb

        debwray
        Participant

        OK, Shooting pains are sort of good news- its a bit like pins and needles massively scaled up- and when the nerve is managing to get signal through to your ankle they are too powerful. What is the output from your drain ? if it is still significant each day then you might want to keep it a little bit longer so that the increased swelling and pressure when it is removed and your body hasto absorb the excess fluid does not put pressure back on that damaged nerve.

        If you were thinking of a case I think the advice to check the consent form and listed complications is good. Bad things can happen but proving negligence can be tough standard to meet .

        Best wishes for your recovery

        Deb

        Gsnowindlon
        Participant
        It’s been 6 years since my CLND groin area – so forgive me if I don’the remember all details.
        I do remember that the femoral artery situation as
        you describe was a real possibility for me at the time.
        My surgeon didn’t know for sure if my tumor (node)had
        adhered itself to the artery so he had a vascular surgeon
        standing by incase I needed
        a graft.
        In my case the tumor peeled
        right off so no graft required, but the possibility of the longer stay had been real and not
        that unusual.
        I had numbness in my thigh
        for at least a year or so
        and now have almost complete feeling again.
        Hope this helps – been NED
        for over 6 years (thank God
        for my surgeon Stanley Leong).
        Gsnowindlon
        Participant
        It’s been 6 years since my CLND groin area – so forgive me if I don’the remember all details.
        I do remember that the femoral artery situation as
        you describe was a real possibility for me at the time.
        My surgeon didn’t know for sure if my tumor (node)had
        adhered itself to the artery so he had a vascular surgeon
        standing by incase I needed
        a graft.
        In my case the tumor peeled
        right off so no graft required, but the possibility of the longer stay had been real and not
        that unusual.
        I had numbness in my thigh
        for at least a year or so
        and now have almost complete feeling again.
        Hope this helps – been NED
        for over 6 years (thank God
        for my surgeon Stanley Leong).
        Gsnowindlon
        Participant
        It’s been 6 years since my CLND groin area – so forgive me if I don’the remember all details.
        I do remember that the femoral artery situation as
        you describe was a real possibility for me at the time.
        My surgeon didn’t know for sure if my tumor (node)had
        adhered itself to the artery so he had a vascular surgeon
        standing by incase I needed
        a graft.
        In my case the tumor peeled
        right off so no graft required, but the possibility of the longer stay had been real and not
        that unusual.
        I had numbness in my thigh
        for at least a year or so
        and now have almost complete feeling again.
        Hope this helps – been NED
        for over 6 years (thank God
        for my surgeon Stanley Leong).
        Hriggenbach
        Participant

        My nerve and  muscle pain is from my knee to my ankle I have hightened nerve sensitivity and shooting pains almost like I'm being electrocuted so I'm unable to walk.  I do still have my draining but I do have lymphedema and swelling in my leg. I'm still seeing the same surgeon she's not really knowledge any of the pain. I've got a home nurse going to remove my JP drain one last appointment with the surgeon then I move onto medical oncologist to start treating my cancer

        Hriggenbach
        Participant

        My nerve and  muscle pain is from my knee to my ankle I have hightened nerve sensitivity and shooting pains almost like I'm being electrocuted so I'm unable to walk.  I do still have my draining but I do have lymphedema and swelling in my leg. I'm still seeing the same surgeon she's not really knowledge any of the pain. I've got a home nurse going to remove my JP drain one last appointment with the surgeon then I move onto medical oncologist to start treating my cancer

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