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Our father had a very unusual problem after heart surgery. It's called the man-in-the-chest. We understand there was some brain damage from loss of blood. The area that was without blood and oxygen affected motor control of his arms. So he can feel his arms but he can't move them. How long does this last? Is it permanent?

You may be referring to a rare condition called man-in-the-barrel (MIB) syndrome. Man-in-the-barrel syndrome (MIBS) presents as complete loss of movement in the arms. This particular symptom is referred to as brachial diplegia. Other symptoms associated with this problem include flat affect (no facial expressions), mild cognitive deficits (decreased mental function), and poor balance while walking. MIBS gives a patient the appearance of being confined within a barrel. This problem can develop as a result of a loss of blood supply to the region of the brain that controls the arms. The area between the anterior and middle cerebral arteries supplying the temporoparietal region of the brain is the key area affected. The prognosis for man-in-the-barrel syndrome is usually good. If the blood loss is identified early and treated right away, the condition is completely reversible. That's why it's so important for surgeons to be aware of this possible (though rare) adverse effect. Prognosis depends on how severe the blood loss is and how long it lasts. The sooner the blood supply can be restored, the more likely it is that the patient will experience a total recovery.

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