Did you Surgeon Do a Leak Test? Scan for Clots?

 I'm 8 days from surgery (as long as my cold virus clears up). I have read of many who had leak tests done in the hospital the day after surgery. I read of one patient where a leak was suspected with the test test but inconclusive. She ended up at 4 weeks out going to the ER to treat the leak.

I do not see a leak test planned on the post op agenda I received from my surgeon. Is this rare? Should I insist on a leak test prior to leaving the hospital?

I've also read of a scan that is performed to catch clots. This same person (with the leak) had a scan post surgery and two clots were discovered in her legs. Sorry I don't know the details of the particular scan performed...Is some type of "clot scan" standard practice in most hospitals?

I dont know anything about a scan for clots but I did drink some stuff and have a scan to make sure I didnt have any leaks. The stuff is really thick and tastes icky but painless. I am not sure that you would not have some kind of leak test but I am not an expert.

My surgery is tomorrow morning and I have lymphedema in my legs and my surgeon required that I have an ultrasound on my legs to make sure I didn't have any clots and I had normal blood flow in my legs. Everything came back normal and I was cleared for surgery. If you're unsure you should contact your surgeon they'll be able to give you the best answer...Good luck on your upcoming surgery...

 My surgeon does a leak test as standard practice because if they don't catch a leak and you have one it can quickly get into your blood stream and cause sepsis.  I would think most surgeons would use this practice. 

Yes my surgeon dose a leak test the day after surgery.  Has to be done before I am allowed to start drinking anything.  I have not  been told of any test for blood clots.  I am having a IVC filter.

Many (most?) surgeons now do leak tests while they have you on the table rather than the day after. Unless you have some indication that you have developed clots, they will not just randomly do scans of your legs and chest just to "see" if maybe you have developed a clot. Insurance companies wouldn't permit it, especially since the surgeon and hospital already take precautions to prevent clots (the Lovenox injections, getting you up walking ASAP, etc.) Clots are actually fairly rare, especially with lap surgery where you are able to be ambulatory very soon after surgery.

Lora

I didn't realize they could do the leak test on the table.  I bet that's what my doc did, because I did not have one the next day.  If they can do it on the table, why would any wait until the next day?  Wouldn't it be better to catch it immediately instead of having to do a second surgery if there is a leak?  Plus, then you can start on your liquids and protein the same day instead of waiting until after the leak test the next day?

Yes, instead of doing an upper GI type of thing they use colored fluid of some kind and also use air or gas and check for bubbles.  My operative report indicates that these things were done.

Yes, I have always wondered why they wait as well.  I was permitted to suck on ice chips as soon as I was in my hospital room and was permitted unlimited clear liquids the same night (early morning surgery).  Perhaps it is more difficult to do leak tests during surgery when it is lap surgery...?

Lora

 My surgeon did both.  Tested for leaks while on the table, and then another leak test the morning after before I was able to take any fluids by mouth.

Hi,
the morning after my surgery, I had an xray while I drank some thick fluid. This was to check for any leakage. There was none and at that point, I was allowed to sip water...not a drop post op until I was proven to be leak-free.
A reputable surgeon will check for leaks before allowing a patient to leak, as leaking is serious enough to cause death if untreated!
Insist on the xray!
Heather