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Phrenic Nerve damage and paralyzed diaphragm: Anyone else have this?
Lung Health | Last Active: 5 days ago | Replies (194)Comment receiving replies
I’m thinking about contacting Dr. Kaufman in NJ to have my paralyzed Diaphragm repaired. According to what I’m reading he has a 80 to 90% success rate. I really don’t want to wait 6 months to see if the Diaphragm will come back. It looks from what I’ve been reading it is not very likely to come back, even my pulmonary doctor was not encouraging, he told me not to expect it to come back. So which is better or safer? The Plication surgery or the Diaphragm repair surgery? My insurance is going to be a problem also because some doctors won’t take my supplementary insurance, only Medicare.
Replies to "I’m thinking about contacting Dr. Kaufman in NJ to have my paralyzed Diaphragm repaired. According to..."
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My understanding of what Dr. Kaufman is most known for is a nerve graph. He takes a functioning nerve from your calf and grafts it onto the nonfunctioning phrenic nerve. If the graft takes, the renewed phrenic nerve will start working, which means the diaphragm will start working again. From what I understand, he has an age limit and doesn't accept patients over 67, I think it is, for doing the nerve graft. He probably does other procedures too. You can contact his office to find out more information. Every surgery is risky, which is why it's important to find the best most experienced surgeon and facility you can. Best wishes as you figure out your next steps!