Expert: Ronald Levy, M.D. - 12/8/2008

Question
Hi,
I am scheduled for surgery for Dec. 15th to remove the hardware from my knee from a high tibial osteotomy.  I came down with a cold two days ago and had a slight fever yesterday.  It is a bad cold and I am concerned if my surgeon will still operate.  I'm assuming that the cold will mostly be gone by the day of my surgery but I am wondering if I should I contact my surgeon and let him know that I have been sick.  Is it typical for a surgeon to cancel surgery if someone has been sick within the week before surgery.  I am 32 years old and otherwise healthy.  Thanks for your time!!
Danielle

Answer
Generally if the cold is resolved or resolving they will still go ahead with surgery but you should let your surgeon know any way. Each surgeon has his own rules about when he will or won't do surgery but I don't suspect a problem.

Ronald Levy, MD
Professor of Anesthesiology
UTMb-Galveston