post surgery leak

[JE1983]

hi all. My husband had his oesophagectomy last Thursday (19th) he’s been breathless and swollen and they did a CT just now which shows a leak at the site of the surgery. He’s already on antibiotics for a chest infection. I am really freaking out and worried sick he’s been told he needs to stop eating and drinking and they will just observe for now. The surgeon did say this was a common complication and can heal by itself but I can’t help being so worried. Has anyone been through this?

[whasler]

Hi there, it's a worrying time but hopefully just a temporary setback for you both. I had a chest drain fitted after a leak and after a few weeks, it was removed after I returned to hospital for a small procedure. It's a big op so there are often complications. Mine was three and a half years ago and touch wood, few issues these days. Best of luck but things will improve!

[JE1983 in reply to whasler]

Oh thank you so much for replying I unfortunately started googling and it was the worst idea! So glad to hear you were able to get it sorted out and are doing well now. He’s been doing so well and this has been a shock even though it’s apparently common

[liz_crisp]

Hi it is a huge op and its not uncommon to have a few set backs. The recovery time is a long slow process but it is worth it. Im 14 years on. Just take it one day at a time. Good luck and have a nice Christmas.

[JE1983 in reply to liz_crisp]

Thanks so much Liz, glad to hear you’re doing well x

[xmasbabe59]

My op was in December 2021 and I had the same problem. I was in hospital for three weeks. No food or drink by mouth just tube and drip fed. My leak ( which was 1mm in diameter) healed by itself. This op throws up all sorts of challenges. Take it one step at a time and hopefully it will heal by itself as many leaks do. I wish you both well with your recovery.

[JE1983 in reply to xmasbabe59]

Thanks so much I’m not sure the size of the leak but they did say ‘small’ and the surgeon did tell us about them pre-op I think I’m catastrophising and he does look really well and obs have been all stable overnight

[sallym]

I had the same complication, an extra week to help it heal. It is all a whole new learning curve but travel with hope . Nobody knows what lies ahead I’m still learning, my op was 30yrs ago but still surviving. Best wishes Sally

[JE1983 in reply to sallym]

Amazing Sally this gives me a lot of comfort thank you so much x

[Magicwands]

Like others have said, this seems to be such a common complication, although that doesn’t make it any easier to deal with. I had both a chest infection and a leak and was in hospital for four weeks. My surgery was in September 2023 and now feel good and can eat most things! Good luck to you both, and allow the body time to heal.

[JE1983 in reply to Magicwands]

Thanks so much for the reply. Luckily today his bloods are improving and they say that’s a sign things are healing on their own so very relieved and hopefully that continues

[zerodrudge]

I had the same issue in 2010.I developed septic shock and lung infection.That is why he is not allowed food and drink.It took me over two months to recover.I hope and pray your husband doesn't go through what I went through.

[JE1983]

thanks for the reply. That sounds like a very scary time. Luckily heard this morning his infection markers are falling dramatically. They are rescanning him on Monday to see how it looks

[Joannewal20]

Hi there. This is a very scary situation. And you are quite normal to panic. I had a bit of a panic attack when I happened to my partner. But he is still here 7 years on! And, he still has the leak! It developed into a broncal fistula. So whilst he has had to learn how to eat again and life is still a struggle at times. He is doing amazingly well.

I won't sugar coat it, as for a long time things were very hard. But it is possible to get through it.

Look after yourself and it's ok to cry, scream, panic and feel sad.

[whasler]

Yes I had a leak which they detected in hospital post op. He may need a chest drain but it's not uncommon and tell him that he'll recover once the chest drain has done its work! All the very best!

[sperrygw]

I had the same leak they sent me home and it did not heal. If he is getting worse please go back to the hospital.

[Bards]

Any update.? Postoperative complications are VERY common with this surgery as many have already confirmed. Scary indeed but is also when NHS is seen to swing into best action.imaginable.

Hope the New Year has bought some reassurance x

[JE1983 in reply to Bards]

Hi. He had an OGD on Tuesday and they left an NG tube in attached to suction to help drain away fluid and heard last night he is having another OGD today under anaesthetic and they are putting in some kind of a stent to allow the leak to heal. The surgeon spoke to me and said he is happy with him and his bloods are improving and seems confident the leak will heal in time so that was reassuring. Hes still on high dose antibiotics and they said they are in no rush to send him home x

[Bards]

Thanks - that sounds reassuring. Hopefully he’ll be up soon and getting to grips with working on the fatigue/loss of muscle condition.

Recovery is a long road but sounds like he’s on it.

Happy New Year x

[JE1983 in reply to Bards]

Thank you so much and happy new year to you! He is the most determined person I have ever met and he will be very keen to build up his fitness again which I’m sure will take a long time but he will get there!x

[LondonMan]

My OP was 3 years ago. I had a leak at the join of the stomach conduit with the remnant of my oesophagus and it was operated on. It leaked again and I had yet another op which did fix it. I was breathless for quite some time with a lot of fluid on my lungs. Three years on I don't think my lungs are fully ok but they are better and I have another issue to worry about!

[JE1983 in reply to LondonMan]

Hi I think that is where his leak is, at the site of the join of the oesophagus (what’s left of it) and where the stomach has been pulled up. That must have been a stressful time for you. At the minute my husband is still nil by mouth, sips only and an NG tube into the leak site which is attached to suction and he’s been having weekly CT scans and OGDs to have a look, he also got a drain put in his chest on Friday to remove a fluid collection. We are being told it will heal but they just have no idea how long it will take. We are worried if it doesn’t heal soon he might not be eligible for post op chemo

[JE1983]

hi everyone just wanted to update you all, my husband is getting home today- day 40 post op! It’s been rough and rocky and he’s been pretty much nil by mouth and sips only so he’s enjoying a coffee and coming home with J tube for feeding and allowed stage 1 diet and stage 2 in a few days if tolerated. Swallow test yesterday seems to show the leak is healed so we are so relieved and just hoping he remains well enough to be offered the post op chemo! It’s a good day after many terrible days 🥳