Expert: Dr Ian Jackson - please note UK based - 10/18/2009

Question
Hello,

I, about eight months had my appendix out Laproscopically since then I have been having dreadful pain in my belly button area. I have spoken to my surgeon who said that he would operate to remove the stitch that he believes to be causing the pain. When I had my appendix out I had a General Anaesthetic, which since then my asthma has been playing up dreadfully could the anaesthetic caused it to make a come back or is it not related? Also how would he remove the stitch as it is internally would they put me under a general anaesthetic??  

Answer
HI Donna
It is most likely that they would use a general anaesthetic to remove the stitch.
I have to say that if your asthma has been worse since your operation then their could be a link, though anaesthesia does not normally cause any problems - even for severe asthmatics. However the stress of an operation if your appendix was bad could have contributed. However as long as you tell your anaesthetist about what has happened I am confident they could look after you without causing you further problems.
Kind regards
Dr Ian Jackson