Expert: Ronald Levy, M.D. - 7/28/2009

Question
My daughter has pseudocholinesterase deficiency and has to have a small cavity filled at the dentist. Is there good reason to be concerned about o local treatment such as novacaine and if so what alternative(s) may be considered?

Answer
While there is no life threatening event to worry about with Novocaine for dental procedures, there is the possibility that the local may take longer to wear off. This is not necessarily a bad thing and it will also provide pain relief. Your daughter needs to worry about undergoing general anesthesia where they use muscle relaxants such as Succinylcholine because that can have an abnormally prolonged effect. She should probably wear a medic alert tag to that effect.


Ronald Levy, MD
Professor of Anesthesiology
UTMB-Galveston