Expert: Ronald Levy, M.D. - 3/17/2008

Question
I had brain surgery on Feb. 19, 2008.  I was in surgery for about 3 hours.  A skull tumor was removed from the top of my head above my forehead and to the right a bit.  The surgeon did not have to disturb the dura.  A marble sized tumor was removed from back of my head. It was pressing on my brain, but not intruding into it.  Both tumors were removed cleanly.  I have no side effects from the surgery and the tumors were benign.

My question is this.  I think I have some short term memory loss.  Could it be associated with the anesthesa?  I forget to take my keys out of the front door when I come home.  I forgot what blouse my daughter wore to an event we attended one hour after we got home.  My husband will tell me what he wants on his sandwich and I have to ask him again 5 minutes later.  I could go on and on with silly examples like this.  I was not like this before surgery.  It is now March 16, 2008 (not quite a month from my surgery).  Do you think I am just fatigued from the surgery and not concentrating enough?  I feel great and feel like I am paying attention to everyone.  Could this be associated with anesthesia?

Answer
It is unlikely associated with anesthesia but depending on where the tumors were pressing, that might be the reason. Give it a little more time and if it doesn't resolve or get better (or if it gets worse) see your surgeon or a neurologist.

Ronald Levy, MD
Associate Professor of Anesthesiology
UTMB-Galveston