Expert: Ronald Levy, M.D. - 8/26/2010

Question
Dear Dr. Levy:

I am scheduled to undergo stapedectomy surgery in exactly one week from today.  It is a simple 30-60 minute procedure to replace the stapes bone in my ear with a prosthesis to improve my hearing due to otosclerosis.  It is going to be performed with a local anesthetic as well as a tranquilizer in the vein (not general anesthesia). I have reason to believe I may have become pregnant two weeks ago but have not taken a test yet this early.  I know that the placenta is not functioning this early on, but do you know if the types of anesthetics used in procedures like this could be a problem?  Thanks for your time.

Sincerely,

Greatly concerned

Answer
Yes they definitely could. When you go in for surgery, they should do a pregnancy test on you and, if you're pregnant, they will likely cancel the procedure. The worst time to have surgery is during the first trimester. If this is a purely elective procedure, I would postpone it until after delivery (or at least later in the pregnancy).


Ronald Levy, MD
Professor of Anesthesiology
UTMB-Galveston