Expert: Ronald Levy, M.D. - 10/11/2010

Question
If someone is 67 years old but their medical records say that they are 57 years old, will that make a difference with general anesthesia during a partial gastrectomy surgery that lasts 1-3 hours? the person has had other procedures with the 57 age.

Answer
It doesn't make a difference, but why lie. Anesthesia is not given by age but rather by the patient's medical history and condition. I am of the belief that you should never lie to your physicians. Even if it's to say (for example) you took cocaine in the morning and ate a full breakfast. Yes, we would cancel your case but that is in YOUR best interest. We would not reveal your age to anyone (who did not need to know it) so why not give us all the information we need to give you a safe anesthetic?

Ronald Levy, MD
Professor of Anesthesiology
UTMB-Galveston