Expert: Dr Ian Jackson - please note UK based - 1/14/2008

Question
QUESTION: Hi my name is Vicky, and I am very similar to someone who asked you a question in the past, David. I will be having IV Sedation to have my wisdom teeth removed and I am extremely scared. I am currently taking the anti-depressant Effexor, which I am told will not interfere with the IV Sedation. I was just wondering if you could maybe give me some stats and maybe tell me what could go wrong.

ANSWER: Hi there Vicky
This is still a very common procedure and as such has a good track record. Conversley in the UK we have no figures for how often it is performed and no data about outcomes. However the outcome you are worried about (ie severe damage or death) is well publicised and I can assure you the risks are extremely low. It is reckoned that general anaesthesia has a risk of death somewhere well over 1 per 150,000 anaesthetics given in the UK.
In the UK our Royal College of Anaesthetists produces good patient information about risks linked to general anaesthesia - which is a bit different from the sedation you are having but might be useful to you.
http://www.rcoa.ac.uk/index.asp?PageID=836
I can't give you specific data about sedation for the procedure you are having but as I have tried to outline the risks are low. There is no reason to expect that your current medication would change this.
Finally what could go wrong?
I think that is a bad question and only feeds anxiety, indeed there are numerous things that could go wrong from the moment you walk out your front door. Your surgeon will outline the important ones surrounding the procedure as he/she has to do this.
I wish you all the best. Every time you start to think about this, please take a deep breath, say to yourself you are going to be fine and then get on with your life.
Kind regards
Dr Ian Jackson

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you very much for responding to my question. It did make me feel better. I do have one more question. I'm not sure what type of drugs they use in IV sedation, but I read that it is possible that you can be allergic to them. When the doctors begin the operation, and they realize you are allergic, is it at all life-threatening? Is  it something that can be easily fixed?

Answer
Hi VickY
It is unusual to be allergic to the drugs used for sedation. It is possible but the good news is that they will be using small doses and should be fully equipped to deal with any problems. In the UK all units that do IV sedation have to practice dealing with this sort of thing so they are always prepared.
Kind regards
Ian