Expert: Ronald Levy, M.D. - 11/27/2009

Question
QUESTION: Hi,

I had a tonsilectomy. No problems but then I had another surgery a year later & something strange happened.

I remember (Im assuming it was at the very end of the surgery) that I can hear everyone talking but I COULDNT move or talk. I tryed to move but nothing. I was really scared!

Now Im supposed to have a hysterectomy & im afraid.

1)Does this sound like a bad reaction or is it nothing to concerning?

2) Would it be safer to request an epidural, numb the waste down instead of general? (As they do for a c-section?

3) Also, my BP tends to run low, 95/60..........
Is this a concern? Would a spinal epidural be better in this situation as well.

Thx for your help!!



ANSWER: What kind of surgery did you have? Normally I would say you were paralyzed but awake which is a rare event and not likely to happen a second time. But it could also be that you were just waking up and couldn't talk because you wre intubated and still deep enough that you didn't move your extremities. Without see the chart, I can't tell. You should talk with your last anesthesiologist to find out. As far as the future, a hysterectomy can be done under spinal or epidural in some cases and you could certainly ask your anesthesiologist about it but I am also sure that you could have another general without problems. Make sure to let the new anesthesiologist know what happened the last time.

Ronald Levy, MD
Professor of Anesthesiology
UTMB-Galveston

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you for your quick reply.

To answer your question, I was having a growth removed from my throat.
It was definately a strange event. Just moments after, I did awaken.

You may have forgotten to reply in regards to my Blood pressure question.

If my BP usually runs low, 95/60, is that a concern with anestescia?

Also which is safest/least complications? Spinal/epidural or general?

Many thx for your help!

Answer
I think my original answer holds. As far as your blood pressure, while it is low, it is not a concern because it is your normal. While there is a little less room for variation, you can still get a safe anesthetic using any of the techniques mentioned.

Ronald Levy, MD
Professor of Anesthesiology
UTMB-Galveston