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Anesthesiology/anasthesia and depression

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Expert: - 5/7/2009


Question
My father in law had a hip replacement about a year ago.  He slipped into a deep depression about three months later.  Can that be associated with anasthesia in any way?  He was a very normal before the surgery.  Looking for answers to this puzzle.  He was hospitalized for the depression this morning

Answer
It is not related to the anesthesia but more likely the hip replacement and the slow recovery from that. Anesthesia does not cause depression, but chronic illness, loss of mobility, dependence on others does.


Ronald Levy, MD
Professor of Anesthesiology
UTMB-Galveston

Anesthesiology

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Ronald Levy, M.D.

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Associate Professor of Anesthesiology, University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston. I am a board certified anesthesiologist who can answer all questions related to any type of Anesthesia with the exception of Pain Management.

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