Expert: Ronald Levy, M.D. - 2/23/2010

Question
I had gallbladder surgery just two weeks ago.  After the surgery, which went without any problems, I had a bit of a sore throat.  On and off for the last week and then in the last couple of days, it has become very sore.  I have had no cold symptoms so I thought it might have been from the tube they put in my throat during surgery.  I went to the med center after work last night and explained and he thought it could be an esophogeal abrasion.  He did prescribe an antibiotic and a gargle of benedryl and water every 4 hours as needed.  Is this something that happens often after surgery?  i've never experienced anything like this and have had previous surgeries.  Should I be concerned?  Thanks for any info you can give me.

Answer
The two things are unrelated. We put the breathing tube in your trachea and should not affect your esophogus.It is possible that the tube we (or the surgeons) put down into your stomach to empty it may have caused some irritation, but it should last for 2 weeks and it should come and go. If the symptoms have now gone away, I wouldn't worry about it. If not, you should return to your surgeon for evaluation. In either case, it is unrelated to anesthesia and you need not worry about getting anesthesia in the future.


Ronald Levy, MD
Professor of Anesthesiology
UTMB-Galveston