Expert: Ronald Levy, M.D. - 2/27/2010

Question
I had carpal tunnel release on my left wrist done Feb. 5, 2010. Before surgery, the nurse took urine to do some tests.  She mentioned they test to see if I'm pregnant.  I'm assuming the test was negative because they didn't say anything about it. I am unsure whether they would've continued with the scheduled surgery without discussing with me the risks if I WAS pregnant. I was unaware at that time that I could've been pregnant.

I am one week late with my menstrual cycle, unsure if I'm pregnant or if it's because of the anesthesia.

Would the urine test detect if I was only 2 weeks pregnant?

Answer
It is not related to the anesthesia. The pregnancy test is pretty accurate and would pick up a 2 week pregnancy. They would definitely not have proceded if you were pregnant, but if you are concerned, a home pregnancy test (at this point) would clearly pick up a pregnancy.

Ronald Levy, MD
Professor of Anesthesiology
UTMB-Galveston