Expert: Ronald Levy, M.D. - 5/10/2009

Question
My friends brother had laproscopic knee surgery Saturday morning (appx a 20 minute surgery).  He was put under a general anestethic and had a seizure.  While he was in recovery he had 3 more seizures and now he is in the ICU and has had 6 more seizures.  The doctor's can't figure out what is causing this and are unable to give him more than ibuprofen for the pain after the knee surgery.  He as never had seizures before so what might cause this?  They are also giving him anti seizure meds but they are not working either, why?

Answer
I cannot explain the seizures other than to say they are not likely from the anesthesia (or the surgery for that matter). While it is true that some anesthetics can lower the seizure threshold, this would only be important in people who otherwise have a history of seizures. And besides, that would have worn off already. I assume a neurologist is seeing this patient and based on that workup they will have a better idea of the etiology.

Ronald Levy, MD
Professor of Anesthesiology
UTMB-Galveston