Expert: Ronald Levy, M.D. - 9/1/2008

Question
Hello Doctor, I recently underwent dental surgery under 'twilight' anaesthesia.  I was supposed to remain sedated and not aware of the procedure and I was also given local by the dentist.  However, I woke during the procedure and was fully conscious which was very distressing as my gums were being cut and stitched at the time.  As a person with chronic pain, I have been on Oxycontin for nine years now.  My present dose is 80mg six hourly per 24 hours (320 per day).  Can you please tell me if it is possible, that due to the dose of oxy I take, that it interfered with the effectiveness of the anaesthetic? Before I contact the dentist for an explanation I would like to get my facts straight.  I appreciate your taking the time to help me.
Best regards
Judith Light from South Australia

Answer
Certainly you have a higher tolerance to pain meds so it could affect the anesthetic. The local should have worked to block any pain but the sedation may have needed to be stonger to have the correct effect on you.

Ronald Levy, MD
Professor of Anesthesiology
UTMB-Galveston