Joan Rivers 'stopped breathing' in surgery

[Intermezzo]

If whatever procedure was being performed had to do with the vocal cords, would it not then have been a bronchoscopy as opposed to an endoscopy? They were not examining the esophagus and the stomach, which would be an endoscopy. They would have been examining the trachea and larynx.

Perhaps they are just using the term "endoscopy" in a generic sense to describe the use of a flexible tube with a camera on it. But technically, if it is going down into the trachea it is a bronchoscope.

These devices also have a tool that allows for removal of polyps. So that may have been the "surgery".

Often for these types of procedures, full out anesthesia is not used. A type of sedation called "IV conscious sedation" is used. Two drugs, Versed and Fentanyl are administered. Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid (stronger than morphine) with a side effect of depressing breathing - which is a side effect of all opioids. The Versed relaxes the patient and also causes amnesia for the procedure. During a procedure using IV conscious sedation the patient often "drifts off", but they are "arousable" and when asked, for instance, to turn onto their side, they will arouse and do so.

Reaction to the medications used for anesthesia is one of the risks involved with any procedure. It does not happen often, but it does happen. Plus a patient in their 80s would be at a higher risk for this to happen.

So sad.

BBM
I agree.

I work in an Endoscopy clinic at a local hospital, I love it, I find it fascinating LOL most of my work is the reprocessing, handling, troubleshooting of the Endoscopes

Endoscopy means looking inside the body for medical reason with an instrument called an Endoscope

Endoscopy procedures include but are not limited to:

Laryngoscopy (maybe Joan was having this procedure...and perhaps a flexible bronchoscope can be used in this procedure but I am not certain since we have not done this procedure where I work)

Colonoscopy..looking inside our colon and sigmoid colon

EGD (upper GI scope or Gastro Scope) oesophagus., stomach and duodenum

ERCP,

Bronchoscopy(looking inside the airways and lungs),

Cystoscopy(for the urinary tract)

 

[salberg7]

I am praying for Joan. I too had an endoscopy last year on an outpatient basis & was sedated with Propofol. I too am a Registered Nurse, so of course asked the medical personnel every imaginable question about the procedure. I am guessing Joan suffered a cardiac arrthymia, then respiratory/cardiac arrest. There was an anesthesiologist present as by law there must be, but I am assuming she had an extended period of hypoxia - no blood to the brain, & is most likely brain dead. I am hoping that is not the case. I really like Joan Rivers, grew up with her subbing for Johnny Carson & yes I know she could be crass at times, I admire her spunk & her resiliency after her husband committed suicide & she was snubbed by Johnny Carson & NBC. She picked herself up in a field with limited women comediennes at that time & bounced back. I love Fashion Police. I am so sad, I am hoping for a miracle for her daughter & grandson. She is a tough old girl, after all.

 

[neverletgo]

The feisty funny lady was being brought out of a medically-induced coma Sunday at Mount Sinai Hospital as her only child waited with bated breath on how she will respond.
Published: Saturday, August 30, 2014, 4:09 PM
Updated: Sunday, August 31, 2014, 7:41 PM

Snipped:

“The waking-up process has begun and will take until Tuesday,” a source close to the family told the Daily News. “There is real concern that the part of the brain that controls motor skills may have been compromised leaving her as either a vegetable or in a wheelchair.”

http://www.nydailynews.com/entertai...members-stand-vigil-article-1.1922473?4242424

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

Thoughts and prayers for Joan Rivers and her family during this difficult time.

 

[Isabelle]

You wouldn't think a person undergoing any type of medical procedure to suffer due to a prolonged period without oxygen. One other possible cause comes to mind, laryngospasm, where the vocal chords tightly close and intubation is next to impossible and bag and mask ventilation is ineffective. A tracheostomy would be rapidly required. I've been leaning toward massive stroke, but the above is an alternate scenario. So sad.

 

[redheadedgal]

thanks to everyone for the medical info... i guess we won't really know what all happened unless and until the family makes another statement.

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

NBC's Dr. Nancy Snyderman comments on Joan Rivers' condition (video).

http://www.today.com/video/today/55953502#55953502

 

[neverletgo]

Rivers laughed off ‘little procedure’ the night before
By Kathleen Culliton and Leonard Greene
August 31, 2014 | 5:23pm

Snipped:

“She said her throat was bothering her for a long time. Her voice was getting more raspy, if that was possible. She said she was just going in for a little procedure in the morning, that was it,” Jay Redack, Rivers’ former writing partner, said outside Mount Sinai Hospital in Manhattan.

http://pagesix.com/2014/08/31/joan-rivers-laughed-about-little-procedure-the-night-before/

 

[Blondie in Spokane]

Joan Rivers' family consider lawsuit over botched vocal cord procedure as doctors fear stroke could leave star 'either a vegetable or in a wheelchair'

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...elchair-begin-process-bring-coma-Tuesday.html

 

[badhorsie]

Praying for Joan and her loved ones

 

[Isabelle]

Joan Rivers' family consider lawsuit over botched vocal cord procedure as doctors fear stroke could leave star 'either a vegetable or in a wheelchair'

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...elchair-begin-process-bring-coma-Tuesday.html

So doctors believe a stroke caused the respiratory arrest. Makes sense. Sad.

 

[LinasK]

if she was in surgery, wasn't she under general anesthesia and intubated? how do you stop breathing then? machine failure? i can't see surgery on vocal cords done while a pt. is awake... maybe i'm wrong...

I read that she went in for an endoscopy, which although not actually surgery, is still performed under general anesthesia. The news about Joan terrifies me, because my daughter is scheduled to have one this coming Thurs. And although I haven't always cared for all of Joan's comedy- some of it is very mean-spirited, I still wouldn't wish this fate on her...

 

[LinasK]

So has it been reported if it was Vocal cord surgery or and EGD procedure (Esophagogastroduodenoscopy/ upper GI scope)
Some reports I have read so far have said she underwent a routine throat procedure others report routine throat to fix her vocal cords????

I work as a Endoscope Tech at a local hospital were I live.

Intermezzo, as a former Speech Pathologist, I am guessing she only had the Endoscopy done to determine the need for surgery on her cords.

 

[danzn16]

Joan Rivers' family consider lawsuit over botched vocal cord procedure as doctors fear stroke could leave star 'either a vegetable or in a wheelchair'

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...elchair-begin-process-bring-coma-Tuesday.html

How is having a stroke during surgery a botched procedure?


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[LinasK]

I have seen endoscopies performed with local anesthesia, but alot of doctors prefer general. I know in my daughter's case, since she is young, her doctor is afraid she will squirm, so she wants general.

 

[Marg from Oz]

I had an endoscopy and colonoscopy post chemo. Was having alot of stomach/gastro problems during chemo that continued on after. Had been on Warfarin because I had developed clots in legs months before. (I could write a book on what has happened to me since chemo) Warfarin levels checked before procedure..all o.k. Had procedure and felt fine. Went to bed at about 5pm feeling tired. Son woke me to come and look at how he had installed anew dishwasher. Got out of bed and wow. Head swimming, falling over. Wanted to go to the toilet..filled bowl with blood. He rushed me to hospital. B.P so low..Checked INR: It had doubled blood was as thin as water. Don't know hat happened to cause this. Clotting agents given. Blood transfusions and a week in hospital.

This was all routine procedure. You just never know what might happen to you!!!

 

[newone]

I had an endoscopy and colonoscopy post chemo. Was having alot of stomach/gastro problems during chemo that continued on after. Had been on Warfarin because I had developed clots in legs months before. (I could write a book on what has happened to me since chemo) Warfarin levels checked before procedure..all o.k. Had procedure and felt fine. Went to bed at about 5pm feeling tired. Son woke me to come and look at how he had installed anew dishwasher. Got out of bed and wow. Head swimming, falling over. Wanted to go to the toilet..filled bowl with blood. He rushed me to hospital. B.P so low..Checked INR: It had doubled blood was as thin as water. Don't know hat happened to cause this. Clotting agents given. Blood transfusions and a week in hospital.

This was all routine procedure. You just never know what might happen to you!!!

''routine'' for docs not the patient!

Sorry you had such a horrible experience - and am happy to hear your son was there to get you to hospital right away.
Most of all glad you are here with us now !!

 

[MagicRose99]

My father had surgery for hiatal hernia where they went down his throat. Sometime during the proceedure his heart stopped and they had to resuscitate him. Afterwards, they put him through every heart test, stress test, etc that they could and they told him for a 70 year old man (it was 11 years ago), he had the heart of a 50 year old!

The only thing they could determine was maybe the laser interrupted the heart beat and stopped the heart. Thank God he's still with us, and going strong today as an 81 year old!

 

[Hatfield]

I have learned that whenever news breaks of someones medical condition that it could be worse than the brief snippet we sometimes see about the status of the person.

When I first heard about Joan the small bullet of news didnt make it sound as bad as it was and then after reading more links about her it seems very serious and life threatening.

I have also learned over the years that all medical procedures such as this involve some risk.

I think there was even a case not too long ago of someone who went in for a tonsilectomy and didnt make it.

I suppose we just have to go with the odds on things and so long as we truly need the procedure, then we have to trust that things will go well.

For me personally, I tend to be firm with doctors whenever they suggest what I considered "optional" things. I have refused certain things and I realize my decision may come back to haunt me. But I dont let doctors just drive all my care. I figure I have a vote in the matter on certain things that seem somewhat optional to me.
Some things of course are absolutely not optional. And if I ever refuse something the doctor wants to do i realize it is then my fault if something comes up later where that procedure would have helped me if I had listened to the doctor.


Anyway, hope she recovers.

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

I have seen endoscopies performed with local anesthesia, but alot of doctors prefer general. I know in my daughter's case, since she is young, her doctor is afraid she will squirm, so she wants general.

I mentioned previously that my mom had an endoscopy in her late 70s to diagnose possible digestive tract bleeding. She was given a mild sedative for relaxation but was awake and alert during the procedure with a local to ease discomfort and gag sensation. About an hour later, techs wanted additional views, so Mom had to swallow a "camera capsule" for further information and diagnosis.