Expert: Dr Ian Jackson - please note UK based - 3/20/2008

Question
My son is 10 yrs old.
Six weeks ago had an appendix operation.
2-3 weeks later he fainted following a severe back spasm.
Since then he has fainted at least 20 times.The hospital believe it may be vascovagal attacks although it could be epilepsy.
Could the vascovagal attack be caused by anaestic still remaining in his body?
Many Thanks
Neil


Answer
Hi Neil
This must be  a worrying time for you. No this could not be due to residual anaesthetic, modern anaesthetics are removed from the body very quickly. It is strange that he has started to have these attacks now and I am interested that the hospital believe they could be vasovagal attacks or epilepsy. I assume he had no problems like this prior to his operation? There is a vague chance it could be linked to an after effect of one of the drugs he received during the anaesthetic or after his operation. Certain drugs (especially anti sickness drugs) can cause peculiar effects on certain nerve pathways in the brain (extrapyramidal side effects) though these are usually short lived.
Bottom line for me (putting my father of a 10 year old son hat on) is that I would only allow a little more time for this to settle and if he is still having problems start asking for referral to someone who might be able to work out what is happening. Repeated fainting is not a normal thing for a ten year old lad.
I hope this all settles down.
Kind regards
Dr Ian Jackson