Expert: Ronald Levy, M.D. - 7/7/2008

Question
Hi.  My 4 year old daughter needs hernia surgery for 2 separate abdominal hernias.  She is very allergic to things such as bug bites.  What are the chances that she could have an allergic or adverse reaction to the anaesthesia?  Are there any medicines I should request be used or not be used?  I am just terrified that she is going to have a bad reaction. I appreciate any advice.  Thank you so much!!

Answer
There is no correlation between allergies to bugs and medications. If your daughter were also allergic to a wide variety of medications then I might be more concerned but not just insects. Furthermore, if your daughter were to have an allergic reaction, where better than in a hospital, in an operating room with the best trained people taking care of her. While there are certainly allergies to some anesthetics, in general, it is very rare to be allergic to anesthesia. In addition, usually the first exposure to an allergen doesn't cause a life threatening response. So relax, I'm sure she will have no problem. You should certainly mention the allergies she does have to the anesthesiologist but I would not be concerned as far as the surgery goes.

Ronald Levy, MD
Associate Professor of Anesthesiology
UTMB-Galveston