Surgical Technique 

A Chiari decompression procedure involves removing bone on the back of the skull to widen the foramen magnum and create more space for the brain and spinal cord. The dura that overlays the herniated tonsils (which is found with a Chiari malformation) is opened, and a patch is sewn to expand the space. The ultimate goal is to control the progression of symptoms and restore the normal CSF (cerebral spinal fluid) flow through the foramen magnum at the base of the skull. 

As a patient, you will be positioned face down. During surgery, we shave as little hair as possible in a vertical line up and down the back of the neck and extending towards the base of the skull. A small amount of the skull is then removed, and then, under a microscope and using microsurgical techniques, we carefully open the dura and create a wider space to accommodate the cerebellar tonsils. After a patch is placed to enlarge the dura over the brain, the bone may be replaced, and the wound then closed. 

Please visit www.olympiadoctors.com for more information. 

Before Surgery 

Seven days prior to surgery, please do not take any anti-inflammatory NSAID medications (Celebrex, Ibuprofen, Aleve, Naprosyn, Advil, etc.) as this could prolong your bleeding time in surgery.

If you are taking any blood-thinning medications (Plavix, Coumadin, etc.), please talk to the prescribing doctor about when you can safely stop that medication before surgery to reduce your risk of bleeding. Usually, these medications are stopped anywhere from 3 – 7 days before surgery.

Increase your strength and improve your recovery by walking at least 30 minutes a day before your procedure. Exercising before surgery will help you recover after your surgery.

At least one week before surgery, eat healthy foods rich in carbohydrates and protein to fuel your body with the nutrients that it will need during and after surgery.

Be aware that nicotine users have a significantly higher risk of surgical wound complications, such as healing and infection, as well as increased surgical bleeding. Nicotine disrupts many normal body functions, including nutrients and blood supplies. It is advised that any nicotine use be discontinued at least
4 weeks before surgery.

Day of Surgery

Do not eat or drink anything after midnight the day before surgery. This also means nothing to drink the morning of surgery, except you may take your prescribed medications (e.g., blood pressure medications) with a sip of water if needed. Consult your surgeon or primary care doctor regarding insulin if you take it. Some hospitals are now allowing clear fluids until a few hours before surgery – please follow the directions of the individual hospital protocols (if you do not follow the individual hospital guidelines this may result in your surgery being canceled).

Be early or on-time to check-in on the day of surgery so that surgery is not delayed or canceled.

Bring your hospital surgical folder and any related paperwork (consents, etc.) to surgery.
Day of Surgery (continued) 

Bring a copy of all relevant imaging studies (CT, MRI, or x-rays) to surgery, even if your surgeon has already seen them in the clinic or may have a copy. Surgery may be canceled if your surgeon cannot view your radiographic images on the day of surgery. 

After Surgery 

As with any major surgery, you must allow time for the body to recover. Medications for nausea and vomiting that are very common after this type of surgery can be prescribed. Please let your doctor know if this is a problem.

It may take a week, month, or more before you recover your usual energy level.

You may be discharged from the hospital on a steroid medication (Dexamethasone) to decrease brain swelling. Some of the possible side effects of steroid medications include dizziness, appetite changes, emotional changes, heartburn, constipation, insomnia, and fluid retention. Steroids help ease the aches and pains that you feel on a day to day basis so when you are tapering off of the steroids, you might feel these symptoms return. You may also feel tired and emotionally down for a few days. Just rest and know that you will feel better in time. We will gradually decrease your steroid dose and frequency. Please do not stop this medication on your own.

Urgent side effects to report: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing

Blood thinners: If you were on blood thinners (Aspirin, Heparin, Lovenox, Coumadin, Pradaxa, Eliquis, Xarelto, Plavix, etc.) you will need to contact your primary care provider for when to resume these medications.

Activity Level

Walking is the best exercise after surgery because it strengthens the muscles, increases endurance, relieves stress, improves blood flow, keeps the bowels moving, and prevents fluid from building up in the lungs.

Immediately after surgery, patients are encouraged to walk, starting with short and frequent walks and gradually increasing distances. The sooner patients can be active, the sooner he/she may be able to resume their routine.

You may discontinue wearing stockings when ambulating without difficulty. 

Do not lift more than 5 -10 pounds for several weeks after surgery. This restriction may be increased to approximately 20 pounds after 4 – 6 weeks. Your surgical team will help guide you with your specific lifting restrictions after 6 weeks.

Bandage 

If a bandage is present, it may be removed the second day following surgery.

Depending on your surgeon’s preference, you will have either Steri-Strips, staples, a liquid skin adhesive (Dermabond), or external sutures over your incision.

Scalp sutures may or may not need to be removed (some can dissolve over time). Ask your if your sutures require removal.

If anything other than occasional spotting is noted to be coming from the wound (such as clear spinal fluid or pus), notify your surgeon.

Steri-Strips should be left intact until returning to the clinic for your postoperative follow-up visit 7 – 14 days following surgery.

Liquid skin adhesive (Dermabond) should be left in place and will eventually fall off naturally over the next 1 – 2 weeks.

Do not use topical ointments on your incision unless approved or directed to do so explicitly by your surgeon.
Bathing

We recommend waiting to shower until the third day after surgery.

Try to limit showers to no more than 5 – 7 minutes.

Do not scrub the incision directly. Instead, let the clean water run over the incision and then pat the incision dry.

Do not soak in a bathtub, hot tub, or pool until you are cleared to do so by your surgeon.

Diet

Narcotic pain medications can be very constipating. Be proactive with stool softeners and laxatives.

A high fiber diet is recommended.

Avoid straining on the toilet. Keep stools soft with a high fiber diet and/or use of prune juice, Metamucil, Fiber One cereal, etc.

Drink plenty of fluids, including Gatorade, or any kind of juice to stay adequately hydrated, prevent blood clots, and other problems.

Pain Medications 

Do not take NSAID medications (Ibuprofen, Naprosyn, etc.) or Cox-2 inhibitors (i.e., Celebrex) for 1 week following surgery.

Tylenol can be taken as needed.

Stronger pain medications will be prescribed if Tylenol is inadequate. Avoid letting the pain get out of control before taking medication, or it will be less effective.

ONI  providers will NOT refill pain medications after hours: 5 pm on weekdays or anytime on the week- end.

It is crucial to anticipate the need for medication refills so that they can be refilled with an adequate notification, which may take anywhere from 24 – 48 hours. 

Follow-up

Please call Olympia Neurological Institute (ONI) office (833-940-3733) and schedule your routine post-surgical visit for 7-14 days after surgery (if it is not already scheduled).

Additional follow-ups will be scheduled as needed.

When to Call Your Doctor

Please call your ONI physician’s office immediately or go to the emergency room if you have:

Itching or hives

Swelling in your face or hands

Swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat

Chest tightness

Trouble breathing

Ongoing nausea and/or vomiting

Severe or worsening headaches or neck stiffness

Confusion or changes in behavior

Increased drowsiness

Progressive difficulty seeing or speaking

Clear fluid leakage from the incision

Fever greater than 101.4F

Seizures

Any new neurologic sensory or motor deficits (weakness, numbness)

Leg swelling with calf tenderness

Inability to urinate or burning during urination

Other FAQs 

How long will I be in the hospital? This varies depending on the type of surgery performed. Although this is not always the case, spending the first night in the ICU for close observation may be necessary. Patients usually go home the second or third day after surgery, unless unexpected medical or surgical complications arise. We have found that patients generally prefer the comforts and support that home offers. The sooner you go home, the lower your risk of complications such as hospital-acquired wound infections, blood clots, and urinary tract infections. 

How much time off from work? The amount of time needed to recover prior to returning to work varies and depends on the surgery, your job, and you as an individual. Typically, 2 – 3 weeks is sufficient. However, patients should ask their surgeon for an individual recommendation. The return to physically demanding jobs will be at the discretion of your surgeon. 

When can I resume driving? Driving is acceptable, depending on the use of pain medication. We strongly advise against driving while taking narcotic pain medications following the surgery. 

What about pain and other medications? We will prescribe pain medications and other perioperative medications on the day of surgery or prior to your discharge from the facility or hospital. Steroids and/or anti-seizure medications must be filled on the day of discharge. 

What kind of follow-up is required? Patients return to our office for routine follow up appointments at intervals that are determined on a case-by-case basis. We typically see patients back in the office within a couple of weeks following surgery and then increase this interval with subsequent visits. The follow-up schedule will be determined by your surgeon at each follow-up visit. 

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