Expert: Ronald Levy, M.D. - 2/28/2008

Question
QUESTION: My wife is considering reconstructive surgery immediately following a bilateral
masectomy.  This would keep her on the table for up to 10 hours.  What is the
downside to being under anesthesia for this long?

ANSWER: If she is otherwise healthy, the primary downside is that the anesthetic will be taken up into the fat and tissues so it will take longer to fully recover from the anesthesia. This is not dangerous but she might feel groggy, nauseous, etc. for a longer period of time. She might also have a sore throat for longer becuase of the breathing tube. Other potential problems such as hypothermia, etc. are not a problem because the anesthesiologist will keep her warm during the procedure.

Ronald Levy, MD
Associate Professor of Anesthesiology
UTMB-Galveston

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

QUESTION: She does not do well under anesthesia.  Once, she had it and fared better
because the anesthesiologist used some kind of buffering agent.  Do you know
what this might be?  She doesn't take opiates for the same reason. (not an
allergic reaction, but extreme nausea after the procedure).

Answer
I don't know what you mean by a buffering agent but we do have medications that reduce the risk of nausea and vomitting so if that is what you mean by buffering agent, we can do that. Make sure to tell the anesthesiologist before the case about her reactions.

Ronald Levy, MD
Associate Professor of Anesthesiology
UTMB-Galveston