Expert: Dr Ian Jackson - please note UK based - 12/28/2009

Question
Hello Dr Jackson

I'm very worried about my sister going into the UHW to have her tonsils and adnoids out the reason that I am really worried is that the last couple off times she has had a general for a VP Shunt and a Gastroestomy (mikey button) but she took such a long time to come around they told us on serveal occasions that she may not come through this and we should prepair for the worst. I would like to know if this one could potentially you know. my second question is,

Talking from experience from serveral aneathetics myself and my sisters frighten the aneasthetist who then make me feel very uneasy about going under because once when I was I think about 15 i'm now 18, I had a general but as you can understand I was nervous and the aneasthetist had eaither had a very bad day at work but he was so rude and unhelpful that I refused to have a general although i think he managed to get me under because I woke up and the procedure had been done.

my final question is I have had many anesthetics in my time for various reasons, but when I had my appendix out around 10 months ago I had 3 aneasthetists and one seemed to be doing most off the work and the others were talking to me and trying to calm me down as i was very upset and distressed but what i did not get was the fact that one placed two fingers on my throat and I have athing about people touching my throat no idea why they did it why would they off done that??? Thank you for taken your time to read this.

Donna

Answer
Hi Donna
Last question first - the person who put their fingers on your throat was an anaesthetists assistant, usually called an Operating Department Practitioner. The anaesthetists and the ODP should have explained that they were going to put some pressure on your throat as you go to sleep to help protect your lungs. The pressure closes off your gullet and so stops any stomach contents coming up into your throat and potentially getting into your lungs.

Now tonsillectomy and adneoidectomy is a fairly 'elective procedure' therefore I would have to assume that the doctors feel it is fairly safe to proceed. Therefore there should be no problem - however every operation has some risk. Those who are looking after her should be able to tell you about any special risks.

I am sorry you have had bad experiences with anaesthesia and in particular that one of my colleagues was rude to you. I hope that you will not experience anything like that again.

Kind regards
Dr Ian Jackson