| | Joined: Feb 2011 Posts: 1 Member | OP  Member
Joined: Feb 2011 Posts: 1 | Hi - I had surgery for a FOM / BOT SCC 11/10/10. Involved excision of 3.5 cm tumor and sig. FOM and tongue tissue, a RFFF and modified neck dissection. No radiation / chemo followup required.
Last week had rapid swelling below chin assoc. with pain, flu like aches, fever and fatigue. Swollen area spontaneously "burst" at neck dissection suture line discharging approx. 8 oz. of dark, translucent satanic smelling liquid. ER did CT, blood tests and swab. Six days after the event the lab reports that liquid discharge was infected with both staff and strep. ER MD., surgeon at MEEI and PCP now all vague on source of problem.
Interested in similar experiences with post op neck dissection infections. | | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 | Welcome to OCF Ben. Please tell me what is FOM and RFFF. You could have picked up that infection anywhere. Hopefully you are getting the necessary antibiotics to take care of the infection. Sometimes serious infections require a picc line and IV antibiotics. I went thru that for about 8 months. Hope you recover quickly.
ChristineSCC 6/15/07 L chk & by L molar both Stag I, age44 2x cispltn-35 IMRT end 9/27/07 -65 lbs in 2 mo, no caregvr Clear PET 1/08 4/4/08 recur L chk Stag I surg 4/16/08 clr marg 215 HBO dives 3/09 teeth out, trismus 7/2/09 recur, Stg IV 8/24/09 trach, ND, mandiblctmy 3wks medicly inducd coma 2 mo xtended hospital stay, ICU & burn unit PICC line IV antibx 8 mo 10/4/10, 2/14/11 reconst surg OC 3x in 3 years very happy to be alive  | | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 5,260 Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 5,260 | Ditto to what Christine just said. I had infections 2 times. They can get nasty fast.
Since posting this. UPMC, Pittsburgh, Oct 2011 until Jan. I averaged about 2 to 3 surgeries a week there. w Can't have jaw made as bone is deteroriating steaily that is left in jaw. Mersa is to blame. Feeding tube . Had trach for 4mos. Got it out April.
--- Passed away 5/14/14, will be greatly missed by everyone here
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2011 Posts: 2 Member | | Member
Joined: Jan 2011 Posts: 2 | My sister had neck dissection and partial glossectomy Feb 12. Went back to Moffit Cancer Center on Thurs with a lot of swelling & fever. Got oral antibiotics but last night had a major drainage similar to what's been described. (Nasty, smelly, gross) I thought it was a good thing because it reduced the swelling. Now I'm worried it might be strep or staff. She goes back to surgeon on Monday. Should we ask about labs for the discharge which is still continuing but more slowly?
And is she ever going to be able to talk normally again? | | |
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