Expert: Ronald Levy, M.D. - 2/10/2010

Question
Hello, I have a 22 month old boy about to undergo surgery for vesicoureteral reflux so he will need to be under general anesthesia.  My question is that he also has underlying pulmonary issues- he has aspiration issues - whereby he he chokes/aspirates water(thin liquids) into his lungs, sinus issues and asthma. HE has inflammation in his lungs and is currently on Pulmicort %26 Xopenex. It's also the season for sinus infections and colds...is it safe for him to have general anesthesia?

Answer
It is safe although he is obviously at an increased risk for aspiration. From the anesthetic point of view, he can be safely intubated a number of different ways that will avoid or reduce the liklihood of aspiration. It might be that he won't extubate as quickly as other children but the anesthetic can definitely be done safely.


Ronald Levy, MD
Professor of Anesthesiology
UTMB-Galveston