Expert: Ronald Levy, M.D. - 9/28/2010

Question
September 25th I had a cervical discotomy for neck and right axilla pain(MRI of this region found a sharply marginated lesion of unknown etiology)and during the difficult intubation the anesthesiologist found a polyp on/in the epiglottis which he instructed me to call my provider to be seen by ENT, which I did but felt that should of been done by him. I have had swallowing difficulties for 3 yrs. can not eat a full meal without nausea and belching relieves this. I was told the referral was submitted but I have not heard a thing, I am sick of being sick and the worst is the pain in the back of neck and right axilla is worse since cervical surgery.. What do now !!

Answer
It is not the responsibility of the anesthesiologist to contact an ENT doc. He fulfilled his responsibility by letting you know of the problem and suggesting that you be seen by the ENT. The nausea and belching have nothing to do with a lesion on the epiglottis so that is a separate issue. As for the neck and axilla pain, it is only 3 days post-op so you should expect some increased pain. That should get better with time.

Ronald Levy, MD
Professor of Anesthesiology
UTMB-Galveston