Rib removal (Not talking about BBQ)

nsb748
nsb748 Member Posts: 89
in Kidney Cancer #1

Has anyone else that had an open surgery had a rib removed?

My 11th rib had a good portion of it removed during my surgery to allow better access to the kidney (I had a partial)

My surgeon told me in advance that he might have to take all or part of it out based on how easily he could reach things.  My understanding of this, is that by going between the 11th and 12th ribs (these are the floating/false ribs) that he is able to do a smaller incision.  My scar from my open surgery is just under 7 inches long. 

I asked the nurses when i was in recovery if he took my rib, and they looked at me like I was crazy.  I forgot all about it, until the other day when I read my entire surgery report, and sure enough, they removed part of my 11th rib.  After reading that, I compared my sides by feeling along my ribs, and it is definitely only half there. 

I have not heard anyone else mention losing a rib.  Is it uncommon to do the surgery this way?

I joked with my wife, that I should have gotten the rib from them and made another wife.  She was not amused. 

Comments

  • danbren2
    danbren2 Member Posts: 311
    #2
    Breaking, but not removing!

    nsb748,

         I have heard of breaking the ribs for easier access but not removing one.  But, I guess if they are going to have to break them for easier access, removing it would take care of the problem altogether!

         Hope you are feeling well, aside from your ribs being lopsided! (haha) 

                                                          Brenda

     

  • foxhd
    foxhd Member Posts: 3,181 Member
    #3
    danbren2 said:

    Breaking, but not removing!

    nsb748,

         I have heard of breaking the ribs for easier access but not removing one.  But, I guess if they are going to have to break them for easier access, removing it would take care of the problem altogether!

         Hope you are feeling well, aside from your ribs being lopsided! (haha) 

                                                          Brenda

     

    ribless stakes

    thats a pun. There have been several here who have had a rib or two removed. I don't know how common it is, but it gets done on occaision.

  • thaxter
    thaxter Member Posts: 124
    #4
    My surgeon said it was standard procedure

    Yes, they removed my smallest rib during my open radical nephrectomy.  Can't say that I notice it missing though.

  • nsb748
    nsb748 Member Posts: 89
    #5
    thaxter said:

    My surgeon said it was standard procedure

    Yes, they removed my smallest rib during my open radical nephrectomy.  Can't say that I notice it missing though.

    Yeah, I thought it was wierd

    Yeah, I thought it was wierd that he only took part of the rib.  I would have thought it would be easier to just yank the whole thing.

    I'll add that to my list of questions for him at my next follow-up.

  • foxhd
    foxhd Member Posts: 3,181 Member
    #6
    nsb748 said:

    Yeah, I thought it was wierd

    Yeah, I thought it was wierd that he only took part of the rib.  I would have thought it would be easier to just yank the whole thing.

    I'll add that to my list of questions for him at my next follow-up.

    ribs

    they are not just sitting there. There are myofascial attachments all the way. Think about the last time you ate ribs and had chew everything off the bone. Not like slipping your foot out of a shoe. They take what they need to get in there.

  • Vivaldi
    Vivaldi Member Posts: 27
    #7
    Missing parts...

    I had half a rib removed for an open partial nephrectomy last year.  He told me it was just a matter of positioning.  I can feel the "stump" and saw it on my most recent chest X-ray.

  • nsb748
    nsb748 Member Posts: 89
    #8
    Vivaldi said:

    Missing parts...

    I had half a rib removed for an open partial nephrectomy last year.  He told me it was just a matter of positioning.  I can feel the "stump" and saw it on my most recent chest X-ray.

    That is exactly what I

    That is exactly what I have!!!! 

    The end of the stump is the only place where I have any pain at all any more.  It aches a little bit from time to time, and can be tender if it gets bumped

    I cant wait to see what it looks like on an x-ray.  I also think that once I get myself back to my normal physical state (relatively in shape) that I will be able to actually see a difference from side to side. 

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