What are the risks and potential complications of surgery for polio survivors?

drjohn

Let's compile a list of potential complications specific to this community. Has anyone experienced issues related to poor bone healing, increased weakness in adjacent muscles, or problems with anesthesia?

drrahul

Polio survivors face specific surgical complications beyond the standard risks. A significant concern is poor bone healing (non-union), as bones that have borne less weight for decades may be osteoporotic. Another frequent issue is new or increased weakness in muscles adjacent to the surgical site, as these already overworked muscles struggle to adapt to new biomechanics. Furthermore, there are heightened anesthesia risks, including difficult intubation and post-operative respiratory failure, particularly for patients with bulbar polio or pre-existing respiratory weakness. Other notable complications include a higher incidence of post-operative bleeding and hardware failure due to the challenges of securing implants in potentially fragile bone.

drjoseph

Compiling a list for the PPS community reveals several critical, interconnected complications. Firstly, poor bone healing (delayed or non-union) is a significant concern, often due to disuse osteoporosis from decades of limited mobility. Secondly, and perhaps most notably, there is a high risk of increased and often permanent weakness. This can occur not only in the muscles adjacent to the surgical site due to overuse during recovery but also in other limbs from the heightened metabolic stress of surgery, which can overwhelm already compromised motor neurons. Finally, problems with anesthesia are well-documented; polio survivors can have a heightened sensitivity to neuromuscular blocking agents and sedatives, leading to dangerous, prolonged respiratory depression and difficulty weaning from a ventilator post-operately. This makes consultation with an anesthesiologist experienced in neurological conditions absolutely essential.