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What Causes Swollen Foot Post Saphenous Vein Graft Harvesting?
Question: Hi I had heart surgery. 10weeks ago. My left leg from which the vein was extracted remains a problem. I do wear a compression stocking but my foot remains swollen, my ankle joint is swollen and inflexible, my leg from just below the knee to my ankle is shiny,leathery,and there is little or no sensation. Recently I have been unable to sleep at night even with a sleeping tablet, due to constant, but random body itching. Can you help.
Brief Answer:
I would explain as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Thank you for asking on HCM!
I understand your concern, heart surgery is a delicate interventional procedure and represents a complex recovery period after that.
Regarding your left leg issue, I would like to explain that in approximately 5% of CABG patients after saphenous vein graft harvesting, leg wounds develop complications, most common of which are: dermatitis (inflammation of the skin), cellulitis (a bacterial infection of the skin), nerve damage leading to sensation impairment, non-healing ulcers, etc.
Most are minor and do not require surgical intervention.
Nevertheless, as clinical signs and symptoms persist, I recommend you to consult with your attending physician, as a careful physical exam (identifying, edema, possible inflammation/infection, or underlying nerve status, etc.) coupled with additional tests, like complete blood count, PCR, local ultrasound, etc. are necessary to arrive to the right conclusion on the responsible factors and adequate therapeutic strategy.
Regarding your night sleep, I would say that it is common to have difficulty sleeping after bypass surgery, especially while in the hospital. As this problem persists after several weeks, I would recommend to discuss with a neurologist for a careful review of your sleep components, in order to identify the exact impairment (sleep onset/maintenance/ sleep quality, etc.) and appropriate remedy.
Hope to have been helpful to you!
Feel free to ask me whenever you need! Greetings! Dr. Iliri
I would explain as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Thank you for asking on HCM!
I understand your concern, heart surgery is a delicate interventional procedure and represents a complex recovery period after that.
Regarding your left leg issue, I would like to explain that in approximately 5% of CABG patients after saphenous vein graft harvesting, leg wounds develop complications, most common of which are: dermatitis (inflammation of the skin), cellulitis (a bacterial infection of the skin), nerve damage leading to sensation impairment, non-healing ulcers, etc.
Most are minor and do not require surgical intervention.
Nevertheless, as clinical signs and symptoms persist, I recommend you to consult with your attending physician, as a careful physical exam (identifying, edema, possible inflammation/infection, or underlying nerve status, etc.) coupled with additional tests, like complete blood count, PCR, local ultrasound, etc. are necessary to arrive to the right conclusion on the responsible factors and adequate therapeutic strategy.
Regarding your night sleep, I would say that it is common to have difficulty sleeping after bypass surgery, especially while in the hospital. As this problem persists after several weeks, I would recommend to discuss with a neurologist for a careful review of your sleep components, in order to identify the exact impairment (sleep onset/maintenance/ sleep quality, etc.) and appropriate remedy.
Hope to have been helpful to you!
Feel free to ask me whenever you need! Greetings! Dr. Iliri
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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