Expert: Ronald Levy, M.D. - 7/27/2010

Question
Hello,

I have a fractured ankle and I will be going to surgery on Tuesday and I'm terrified. Not of the surgery but I have a fear of getting but to sleep. I work in a ICU so I see a lot of patients getting intubated and on a vent. I'm scared of not being extubated. Everyone says I'll be fine I'm 25 years no major health problems except asthma with is rarely a problem. Do you have any suggestions this is bothering me so much I'm even having problems sleeping. Thanks

Answer
More people are worried about the anesthesia than the surgery but anesthesia is actually the safest of all the medical specialities. By working in an ICU you see a very skewed sample of patients who are all very sick and therefore intubated. For your surgery, it would be EXTREMELY unusual for you to remain intubated. In fact, the liklihood that you will be hit by lightning TWICE on your way to the hospital is greater than the liklihood of you remaining intubated. So don't worry.

Ronald Levy, MD
Professor of Anesthesiology
UTMB-Galveston