Expert: Ronald Levy, M.D. - 6/14/2009

Question
QUESTION: Sir, My cousin was first time pregnant after wedding. In ultasound it was revealed that the baby is in wrong position in tube. She needed an immediate operation othewise the tube will explode and she would die. She went under obortion operation, but just after the operation her colour became blue and after a hard time doctors were able  to save her life using artifical breathing system. She is now in coma even after 8 months. Now she is breathing normally, but still on bed. Another thing is that her hands and feet are now twisting. Please advice what to do I can send you all the medical record of her. If you people can do something for her.

ANSWER: Unfortunately there is nothing I or anyone can do for her. It sounds like (and this is mostly speculation on my part) she had an ectopic pregnancy and at some point the doctors lost her airway and she was oxygen deprived. She is now comatose (or perhaps in a persistant vegatative state) and may or may not ever recover. About the only thing you can do (aside from spiritual or comfort care) is to make sure the hospital is doing phyiscal therapy on her limbs. It sounds like they have contracted already. If thats the case (and she miraculously recovers) she won't be able to use her extremities. They need to exercise her fingers, hands, etc and also make sure she doesn't develop bed sores.

Sorry for your troubles,


Ronald Levy, MD
Professor of Anesthesiology
UTMB-Galveston

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

QUESTION: I really appreciate your quick response, but i/we are disappointed by the medical science research that there is no cure or remedy. She walked on her foot in operation theatre. And after one hour she was fighting for her life in the hands of medical science. Now she opens her eyes, seems like she is crying b/c water comes from her eyes. I can only request for a research at this point for such type of patients.

Answer
The brain is a complex organ and research in this area is very poor. The fact that she opens her eyes means that she is not "brain dead" but it probably means that she is in a persitant vegatative state (PVS). She is "probably" not aware of what is going on around her and the tearing is natural and doesn't mean anything. I agree that we need more research but unfortunately, I am not aware of any advances in understanding PVS.


Ronald Levy, MD
Professor of Anesthesiology
UTMB-Galveston