“After ECMO machine?”
My son was put on a ventilator and ECMO machine. He has been taken off both machines. He was telling me that where the ECMO machine tube when into his right side felt weird. When I was able to visit him this last Saturday I was looking at it and ran my fingers down his side starting at the incision area. It literally feels like a tube running down his side. I asked for an x-ray and the Dr. said he didn't see anything. What could this possibly be? I know it's not muscles swelled like they say it may be.
Male | 25 years old
2 Answers
ThoracicSurgeonPulmonologist
This is normally scarring from the procedure and tubes. If any issues persist he would require a CT scan of his neck.
I am glad your son made it through this situation. I do not know how long he was on the machine, but the tube in that area left a channel after it was removed. I would expect it to resolve in a few days. An X-ray will only show something if it has metal in it, a better test is an ultrasound. If this is still a problem in 5 or so days, ask for an ultrasound to look for the cause of this.
I hope this goes well for you both.
I hope this goes well for you both.
