Chest surgery & diving

[Dcyre]

Hi I've never dived before i joined the board to get some info my biggest concern is I had to have chest surgery about 3 years ago with no complications post op and just wondering if this is a contraindication to scuba diving any info would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Bubbletrubble]

Not enough info to make a determination. You'd have to tell us the purpose of the chest surgery, the outcome, and any other related conditions. Chest surgery, in and of itself, is not a contraindication to diving...but there are many conditions requiring chest surgery that would make diving far too risky.

Even if you were to give a medical professional all of that info over the Internet, you'd still have to see a physician in person (for history-taking, physical exam, and review of the medical record) in order for him/her to grant clearance. I recommend that you do this well before you sign up for any scuba classes.

 

[McCainiac]

I had Pectus Excavatum surgery several years ago and have had NO problems with diving. What surgery did you have?

 

[reefduffer]

Bubbletrubble's advice is spot on. I'd just add that you can download the PADI version of the medical clearance form, including several pages of instructions to a physician conducting an exam, here:
http://www.padi.com/english/common/courses/forms/pdf/10063-ver2-0.pdf

PADI isn't the only certifying agency, but the requirements are similar for other agencies (actually I think identical, see the RSTC logo on the form), and this will give you at least one concrete version for you and your physician to consider.

 

[herman]

I certainly can't give you advise, you need to get that from your doctor but if it helps, one of my dive buddies had quadruple bypass last April and was diving in July...all be it at a slower pace.. with the blessing of his cardiologist. It did help his doc is also a diver and instructor so there was no issues with the common "I don't know the answer to the question so the answer is no" problem.

 

[Thalassamania]

I don't know the current thinking, but up until a few years ago any thoracotomy was an absolute contraindication to diving. But things do change.

 

[TSandM]

I can think of any number of reasons for a thoracotomy that would not be contraindications to diving, and quite a few reasons that absolutely would be. We need more data, even to give a broad prediction.

 

[bleeb]

As the others have said, it's tough to say, since there are too many variables. If you feel comfortable posting a bit more information about the nature of your surgery, someone here might be able to comment further. Ultimately though, you'll probably want to get an opinion from the surgeon who did the work as well as a dive medicine knowledgeable physician.

If you call the Divers Alert Network (DAN) non-emergency medical hotline at 919-684-2948 (Monday through Friday, 9am to 5pm EST), they're usually happy to try to refer you to a diving-knowledgeable physician in your area, even if you're not a member.

Alternatively, I see the Centre de medicine de plongee de Quebec lists three Calgary doctors in their Canada-wide list of doctors specialising in dive medicine.

 

[DocVikingo]

I don't know the current thinking, but up until a few years ago any thoracotomy was an absolute contraindication to diving. But things do change.

Per Scubadoc: "Traumatic or surgical pneumothoraces can be allowed to dive after appropriate clearance from a diving physician, chest surgeon or pulmonary disease specialist."

Issues include the reason for the procedure, e.g., spontaneous v traumatic pneumothorax v lung cancer, and invasions of the pleural space, e.g., posterolateral thoracotomy v median sternotomy. An examination by a dive savvy pulmonologist, including a high resolution CT scan and PFTs, should be undertaken prior to consideration of a return to SCUBA.

Regards,

DocVikingo

This is educational only and does not constitute or imply a doctor-patient relationship. It is not medical advice to you or any other individual, and should not be construed as such

 

[Thalassamania]

So would it be safe to say that any thoracotomy that is not followed up by a clearance from a dive savvy pulmonologist, including a high resolution CT scan and PFTs, is a contraindication?

I know I've restated it somewhat backward, but I know what it takes to actually find a dive savvy pulmonologist.