Question:
Do all Dr.'s do a leak test before you leave the hospital?
I just had my pre-op visit with my surgeon and he said he doesn't do routine leak tests. He said he has done 5-600 RNY opens and has had only 4 leaks so he no longer tests routinely for leaks. What has everyone else experinced? Should I insist on one (I worry about this and blood clots). — Kathleen M. (posted on February 23, 2002)
February 23, 2002
My Doc has done over 1500 surgeries and no longer does leak tests either. I
am 11 days post...no problems.
— Joelle B.
February 23, 2002
my dr has done over 3000 surgeries & still does a leak test on the
table. just because a dr has done X amount of surgeries does not make him
or his procedure perfect. i think its a little egotistical of a dr to feel
he doesnt have to check his work & then go about patting himself on the
back. better to be safe than sorry.
— sheryl titone
February 23, 2002
My doctor does not do a leak test prior to leaving the hospital. I think it
is another one of those things that docs do on a doctor to doctor basis. I
don't think that not doing a leak test him makes him a bad doctor anymore
than a doctor who does it is a good doctor. I trusted the skill of my
surgeon and his decisions. JMHO.
— Tina P.
February 23, 2002
My doc tests for leaks while doing the surgery and then again before we
leave the hospital. He has never had any leaks and I was relieved to know
that he was overly careful. Now I don't worry about anything having been
missed! Good luck.
Vicki Mize
— vmize
February 23, 2002
I am 12 days post op. Don't know if doctor did a leak test before he
closed me up (surgery took 1 hour and I was 350 pounds) but there was no
leak test the next day. Also, no NG tube or JP drain. I'm fine.
— Linda V.
February 23, 2002
I don't think my doctor did a leak test on me, at least not while I was
awake. Regardless, he has performed thousands of RNYs and is extremely
experienced and cautious. I haven't had one complications or problems
(besides a hernia!). Some surgeons believe in leak tests and others don't.
— Terissa R.
February 23, 2002
My doctor has done 30 of these a month for years and does three different
leak tests before he closes up. He uses air, water and dye. I had blue dye
in my cather(sp) bag.
I ended up still having another one while in the hospital because I was
running a tempature.
— Candace F.
February 23, 2002
My doctor does a leak test before you can be discharged from the hospital.
Perhaps his diligence has contributed to his 0% mortality rate. In fact,
as experienced as he is, he has found a leak or two and had to rush the
person back into surgery. I just can't believe a doctor wouldn't do a leak
test as standard procedure. For the little time and trouble it takes, it
would save some people from a LOT of problems. I would insist he do it,
and if he says no, RNY is common enough that you can probably find another
surgeon. I wouldn't feel comfortable having surgery with a guy who seems
so arrogant as to think he can't make a mistake.
— [Anonymous]
February 23, 2002
I am the original poster. Thanks for your responses. I didn't ask him if he
checked for leaks while DOING the surgery so that will be one of my follow
questions. Thanks!Also, he didn't come off as arogant at all. He just
suggested that the percent was so low that he didn't like to put the
patient through the extra testing/x-rays, etc. Maybe he does test during
surgery. I will ask....Thanks again!
— Kathleen M.
February 23, 2002
ALL surgeons check during surgery and most do a swallw test a day or so
post op, to be sure there are no leaks. Dont worry, there are a lot of
surgeons who stopped doing the yucky post op swallow test/ This according
to my surgeon at our last support group meeting.
— bob-haller
February 24, 2002
Kathleen, my doctor has the same attitude as yours. He indicated that a
leak test puts alot of stress on the new pouch and chooses not to do it
unless there are indications that it is needed - fever, nausea, abnormal
pain. I know he checked during surgery and am VERY confident in his
methods. I am 4 days post-op and recovering VERY nicely. I think each
doctor has his/her own "comfort zone" and I like my doctor's
zone. As long as you are comfortable with your doctor, you will do great!
— Laura B.
Click Here to Return