Expert: Ronald Levy, M.D. - 11/8/2009

Question
I had an infusion port put in near left clavicle 3.5 days ago. Outpatient. My RIGHT arm has had tingling and numbness. Today, my chest feels tight/full on the right side. It's painful if I were to cough or sneeze. Is this a side effect? I can't imagine any other problem.

Answer
This sounds more like a surgical complication (perhaps an infection, a hematoma or a seroma). I would recommend going back to the surgeon to let him look at it. The only thing I can tell you for sure is that it is not related to the anesthesia.

Ronald Levy, MD
Professor of Anesthesiology
UTMB-Galveston