Expert: Ronald Levy, M.D. - 3/21/2011

Question
Good afternoon Doctor,
My question is that my friend suffers from epilepsy grand mal and has had adverse reactions to anesthesia as a result of operations performed. the last one put him into a coma for 6 days. is there a special drug/procedure/answer to prevent any reaction so he can have a long overdue knee replacement operation.
He is concerned that he is putting himself in grave danger and fears for his life if he goes under anesthetic or that he could have irreversible brain damage if he has fits whilst under.
Also if you know of a specialist in Australia that is an authority on this condition.
kind Regards
Greg Hook

Answer
First of all, there is no adverse reaction to anesthesia as a result of surgery (and certainly not as relates to anesthesia). That being said, it is possible your friend had an allergic reaction to something but without more details, it would be impossible to figure this out. As for the current problem, these procedures can be done under regional anesthesia (spinal or epidural) and that should not cause the problem you mentioned. Have your firend talk to the anesthesiologist beforehand and explain his concerns. The anesthesiologist should be able to offer this option.

Ronald Levy, MD
Professor of Anesthesiology
UTMB-Galveston