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Question
is there a difference in anesthesia given to smokers vs. nonsmokers or an additional medication they can give during surgery to keep smokers from coughing during surgery?
Kathy
There is no real difference in the anaesthetic used. If someone has a troublesome cough then sometimes this means we have to give higher doses of anaesthesia as this tends to suppress it. Most anaesthetics have this effect and so coughing while anaesthetised is not normally an issue. However it is best to stop smoking for at least a week prior to surgery.
Good info on how to stop is available at www.gosmokefree.co.uk
Kind regards
Dr Ian Jackson
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Anesthesiology
Answers by Expert:
Dr Ian Jackson - please note UK based
Expertise
I am a Consultant Anaesthetist in the UK. My interests include ambulatory or day surgery, obstetric anaesthesia and analgesia, acute pain management (use of epidurals and patient controlled analgesia)anaesthesia for surgery on the airway, orthopaedics and most things except brains and hearts. Interest in prehospital care of trauma and provision of medical cover at motorsport events.
Experience
Organizations
European Society of Regional Anaesthesia
British Association of Day Surgery
Obstetric Anaesthetists Association
Association of Anaesthetists
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